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Kentucky bank shooting: What we know about the victims

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Tommy ElliotImage source, Tommy Elliot/Facebook
Image caption,
Tommy Elliot was a friend to Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear

An "incredible friend" of the state governor, a beloved grandmother and a respected boss were among the victims of a mass shooting at a bank in Kentucky on Monday.

Friends and family have been sharing tributes online about the four people killed in the shooting.

Governor Andy Beshear said the community will mourn and miss the "amazing people" lost.

Police shot and killed the 25-year-old gunman.

Thomas Elliott, 63

Thomas Elliott was senior vice president at Old National Bank and well connected in the Louisville community.

"Tommy Elliott helped me build my law career, helped me become governor, gave me advice on being a good dad," Mr Beshear said.

"One of the people I talk to most in the world and very rarely were we talking about my job. He was an incredible friend."

On Facebook, Mr Elliott Facebook shared a post in support of then-gubernatorial candidate Mr Beshear in 2019.

Louisville's former mayor, Greg Fischer, said he knew Mr Elliott for 40 years. He described Mr Elliott as someone who got "great joy out of helping people and seeing people succeed".

The two became close during Mr Fischer's first run for mayor when Mr Elliott signed on to be his campaign finance manager.

Mr Elliott was a family man devoted to his wife, two daughters and two stepdaughters, Mr Fischer said.

Florida Senator Rick Scott said Mr Elliott was his friend and banker for many years, writing on Twitter that the news "is very shocking and sad".

Mr Elliott was involved with the Muhammad Ali Center and was a close friend of Lonnie Ali, wife of the late boxer Muhammad Ali.

She told the Associated Press, "Tommy was such a warm, wonderful, funny, kind guy."

Mr Elliott was previously the chairman of the board at a hospital, Baptist Health Louisville.

Baptist Health's president, Larry Gray, said: "he was a friend to many who believed in making our community a better place to live and thrive."

Juliana Farmer, 45

Ms Farmer worked as an analyst for Old National Bank, according to her LinkedIn profile. She was a mother and grandmother.

She posted on Facebook the morning she died, announcing a fifth grandchild would be born in September.

After her death, her son, J'yeon Christopher Chambers, wrote on Facebook. "Like what am I supposed to do now," he said. "They took my [expletive] mommmmm!!!!!!!!!!!"

Her daughter, A'lia Chambers, also shared her grief on Facebook, writing, "I can't live without you mama 💔💔💔 I'm your only daughter what am I supposed to do without you mama."

"My beautiful, sweet niece", wrote Farmer's uncle Michael Williams. "My heart is broken."

One friend, Brentney Owsley, wrote on Facebook: "You were just starting to live …. The best mom, the best friend, the best grandma the best listener."

Joshua Barrick, 40

Joshua Barrick was the senior vice president of commercial real estate banking at Old National Bank, according to his LinkedIn page. He was a father of two as well as a parishioner at Holy Trinity Parish.

"Our hearts are heavy, they are broken, and we are searching for answers," read a Facebook post from the Parish.

The church gathered on Monday evening to hold a service honouring Mr Barrick's life, where pastor Shayne Duval said the family was in shock.

"I've been with his wife. I've been with his children. I've been with his brother and members of this community," he said. "Everyone is just kind of walking around in a fog like, 'Did this just really happen?'"

Mr Duvall said Mr Barrick was a charismatic and charming man who volunteered to coach basketball for elementary school students.

James Tutt, 64

A native of Frankfort, Kentucky, James Tutt was the market executive for the southern region of Old National Bank, according to his LinkedIn page. He attended the University of Kentucky for both undergraduate and graduate degrees, according to his social media accounts.

Mr Tutt was a husband and grandfather.

"Heartbroken is the only word I can use to describe how I feel," wrote former colleague Laura Dement on Facebook. "I really don't have words to describe the depth of the feelings."

She said she had worked with Mr Tutt for three years.

Another former colleague, Mike Balog, wrote a tribute to Mr Tutt on Facebook: "You were a good man. A good father. A good boss.

"Thank you for giving me an internship at Bank One and introducing me to the world of banking. You are already missed."

Deana Eckert, 57

Deana Eckert was an executive administrative officer at Old National Bank. In 2019, she won Old National Bank's ONe Vision Annual Award, nominated by colleagues as someone who outperformed expectations and modelled the bank's values.

Louisville Metro Police shared news of Ms Eckert's death late on Monday night.

Ms Eckert's family also shared news of her death: "she underwent multiple surgeries today but did not survive", local journalist Shay McAlister reported.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg described Ms Eckert as "a very kind and a very thoughtful person".

"She was a wonderful woman who will be missed," he said.

Her Facebook says she was originally from Harrodsburg, Kentucky.