By Ethan Nichols, World News Editor

At least five people are dead and eight injured following a mass shooting at Old National Bank in Louisville, Kentucky. The shooting marks the 146th mass shooting of 2023.

Police received calls around 8:30 a.m. on Monday and arrived on the scene three minutes after being dispatched. 

“We believe this is a lone gunman involved in this that did have a connection to the bank,” Deputy Chief of the Louisville Police Department  Paul Humphrey said. 

Louisville police also reported that two police officers were injured and transported to a nearby hospital.

Among the victims is Xavier alumnus Joshua Barrick, a senior vice president at Old National Bank. Barrick received his Bachelor of Science in business administration from Xavier in 2005. 

The other victims are Tommy Elliott, Jim Tutt, Juliana Farmer and Deana Eckert. 

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear traveled to the scene of the shooting hours following the incident.

“This is awful. I have a very close friend that didn’t make it today. And I have another close friend who didn’t, either, and one who is at the hospital that I hope is going to make it through. So when we talk about praying, I hope people will,” Beshear said at a press conference on Monday at the scene of the shooting.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) expressed his condolences to the victims and their families.

“Elaine and I are devastated by the news coming out of Louisville this morning. Thank you to LMPD and our first responders for your bravery at the scene. We send our prayers to the victims, their families and the city of Louisville as we await more information,” McConnell said.

Rep. Keturah Herron, a Democrat who represents part of Louisville, expressed anger and called for stricter gun control. 

“As we hold our community tighter, there must also be outrage and anger. We live in a war zone, and we shouldn’t have to,” Herron tweeted.

Dr. Jason Smith, the chief medical officer at University of Louisville Health, discussed the care the nine victims received at the hospital following the shooting.

“To be honest with you, we barely had to adjust our operating room schedule to be able to do this. That’s how frequently we are having to deal with gun violence in our community,” Smith said.