A rookie Louisville, Kentucky, police officer is fighting for his life after being shot in the head while responding to the mass shooting at a bank on April 10.
According to an update from the Louisville Police Department, Officer Nickolas Wilt remains in critical but stable condition after undergoing brain surgery for his injuries.
“Update on hero Officer Wilt: He remains in critical, but stable condition. The family sees and feels the love. Thank you!” the police department tweeted.
Wilt had just graduated from the police academy 10 days before the shooting. He was running toward the gunfire to save lives when he was shot.
His training officer and partner, Officer Cory Galloway, was also injured in the incident after being grazed in the shoulder by a bullet while taking cover.
Five employees of the Old National Bank were killed in the shooting and eight other individuals were injured.
The gunman, identified as 25-year-old Connor Sturgeon, was also an employee of the bank and was armed with a rifle at the time. His motive remains unclear.
Authorities said Sturgeon livestreamed the shooting on Facebook before the platform removed it.
Sturgeon was later killed by police in a shootout three minutes after the shooting broke out.
Officer Wilt previously worked for several emergency service agencies before joining the police force.
According to Louisville Police Department, Wilt worked for Oldham County Emergency Medical Services, the La Grange Fire Department, Oldham dispatch and Henry County EMS before deciding to become a police officer.
His father, a veteran of the Iraq War who received a Bronze Star, passed away earlier this year.
The Louisville Police Department tweeted their gratitude for the support the family has received.
Police Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel also praised the officers’ brave actions that day.
“They went toward danger in order to save and preserve life. They stopped the threat so other lives could be saved. No hesitation, and they did what they were called do to.”
According to data from the nonprofit Gun Violence Archive, there have been at least 146 mass shootings this year so far, with 15 occurring in April.
