Community prayer vigil honors victims of Louisville mass shooting

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WFIE) - A vigil with state and city leaders was held in Louisville on Wednesday.

The vigil took place in the plaza of the Muhammad Ali Center.

It comes after the mass shooting at Old National Bank on Monday.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear shared with tears about one of his best friends who was killed in the shooting, but two other friends’ lives were spared because of the Louisville Metro Police Department’s timely response to the incident. Religious leaders also shared words of comfort during the vigil.

Whitney Austin, who survived a 2018 shooting at the Fifth Third Bank in Cincinnati, Ohio, choked back tears. She survived after being shot 12 times.

“Every person touched by gun violence, and that includes those shootings that have nothing to do with mass violence, deserve to be lifted up,” Austin said. “The way I was lifted up.”

Wednesday’s vigil ended with everyone in attendance singing “Amazing Grace.”

Those killed in the shooting were 63-year-old Tommy Elliott, 64-year-old Jim Tutt, 40-year-old Josh Barrick, 45-year-old Juliana Farmer and 57-year-old Deana Eckert.

Police confirmed six people, including the gunman, died in the shooting. A total of nine patients, including three Louisville police officers, were taken to the University of Louisville Hospital.

Officer Nickolas Wilt was listed in critical condition after he was shot in the head responding to the incident. He underwent brain surgery Monday afternoon and is still in critical condition as of Tuesday.

UofL Hospital gave an update Tuesday afternoon, saying five patients have been discharged.

There are three patients still being treated, including Officer Wilt, who is still in critical condition. The other two patients are in stable and fair condition, the hospital said.

On Wednesday, Old National Bank officials announced all of their bank centers closed early to allow team members to participate in the prayer vigil.

You can watch our live coverage below from 14 News at 6 p.m.

You can watch our live coverage below from 14 News at 5 p.m.

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