Kentucky Bank Gunman Admitted He Had 'Somewhat Negative Self-Image'; Reportedly Was Being Fired Before Deadly Attack

A possible motive emerged Tuesday for a deadly shooting at a Kentucky bank, as the death toll from the attack increased.

CNN reported Connor Sturgeon, 25, had been told he was being fired from Old National Bank in downtown Louisville. It is unclear what might have led to his firing.

Sturgeon reportedly left notes for his parents and a friend revealing his plans to take revenge.

Authorities say Sturgeon went to the bank Monday morning with a rifle, entered a conference room and fired on several bank officers.

The New York Post reported Sturgeon had a master's degree in finance from the University of Alabama, and joined Old National in 2021, becoming an associate and portfolio banker.

But Sturgeon also had a history of concussions from playing football in secondary school. He wore a helmet during high school basketball games as a precaution.

An essay which Sturgeon wrote during college admitted to problems fitting in during high school.

“This has given me a somewhat negative self-image that persists today,” he wrote. But he added that during his college years, he had “begun to mature socially.”

The toll of attack victims increased to five Monday night, when authorities announced the death of Deana Eckert, 57. The other victims were Joshua Barrick, 40, Tommy Elliott, 63, Juliana Farmer, 45 and James Tutt, 64.

Eight other people were wounded, including two Louisville police officers.

WHAS-AM reported five of them remained in the University of Louisville Hospital Tuesday morning.

Nickolas Witt, 26, who graduated from a police academy on Friday, March 31, was in critical but stable condition after brain surgery. But he's reportedly improving.