The Louisville banker who opened fire at his workplace, killing five people and injuring eight others, was apparently motivated by his outrage over what he deemed to be “lax” gun control laws — hoping his rampage would spur lawmakers to enact new measures.
“I have decided to make an impact,” Connor Sturgeon, 25, wrote in his journal six days before the April 10 shooting at Old National Bank, according to a recently-released police report.
“These people did not deserve to die, but because I was depressed and able to buy [guns], they are gone,” he wrote of his plan. “Perhaps this is the impact for change — upper class white people dying.
“I certainly would not have been able to do this were it more difficult to get a gun,” Sturgeon continued.
“I know our politicians are solely focused on lining their own pockets, but maybe this will knock some sense into them,” he added. “If not, good luck.”
The journal entries Sturgeon made in the days before the shooting detail how he was suffering from persistent depression, and felt inadequate amid national issues like inflation, climate change and a lack of mental health care.
On April 3, for example, he wrote about his “struggle with depression and how he is unable to escape it, even though he has been trying for the past year with therapy, medications and other self-care methods,” according to the police report.
Other entries criticized politicians, the National Rifle Association and party politics for gun violence and for gun laws that made getting a rifle “so easy.”
Kentucky does not have any “red flag” laws, and because Sturgeon did not have a prior criminal history he was able to pass the federal background check.
Just one day before carrying out the deadly act, Sturgeon wrote that he is “definitely very sick” as he marveled at his ability to buy an AR-15.
“OH MY GOD THIS IS SO EASY,” he wrote, according to the police report.
“Seriously, I knew it would be doable, but this is ridiculous. Walked in and bought a gun, 4 mags and 120 rounds for $700. Got some glasses and earplugs.
“It is legitimately unfathomable how easy this all was,” he said, claiming he is a “WAY better liar than anyone gave me credit for” and said “good heavens, I just lied to everyone so easily and [no one] caught on.”
Sturgeon also wrote that his “sickness wins.”
“But let us not forget the most important player here. The one who made all this possible. Let’s give it up for the NRA!!”
“I couldn’t have done this without all of your lobbying dollars! You really brought this whole thing together.
“This is the world you are building,” Sturgeon claimed. “One without any regard for the value of human life.”
He had earlier written that “something snapped” in him.
“This is not an accident,” Sturgeon said. “I’m sorry I had to lie all week, but this [is] something I have to do.
“It has all been planned out, and it is flawed, but I think it will work.
“I know I won’t be around to see it, and know that makes me a coward. But I pray this can send a message to those with power that they are not invincible.”
Sturgeon, who was live streaming his attack on Instagram, was shot and killed by police after he aimed his rifle at them during his attack at the Old National Bank.
Also killed in the rampage were bank employees Tommy Elliot, 63, Jim Tutt, 64, Josh Barrick, 40, and Juliana Farmer, 57.
Two police officers were among those injured, including one, Nicholas Wilt, 26, who was shot in the head. Wilt had only graduated the police academy one month prior.
The surviving victims and family members are now finalizing a lawsuit against Radical Firearms, the company that produced the gun Sturgeon used, according to the Washington Post.
Attorneys for the families said the release of the police report on Tuesday “is an important step for those personally impacted by the tragedy as well as for the community.
“Our legal team will promptly review this report in detail as we move forward preparing for civil litigation in this matter,” Thomas Law Offices and Romanucci and Blandin said in a statement to the Washington Post.
“Most importantly, our hearts are with our clients this week as they process this painful report while many of them have an empty seat at their Thanksgiving table or they reflect on the deep trauma they have experienced this year.”