(CNN) Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Wednesday that he “can’t imagine” how the family of the man who killed five people, including a friend of the governor, in Louisville on Monday must feel.
Beshear’s comments, made in an emotional interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins that was his first since the mass shooting, came after the 911 call made by the gunman’s mother was released.
“This man killed my friend. But still, I can’t imagine what his parents are feeling right now,” said Beshear.
The call from the gunman’s mother, 25-year-old Old National Bank employee Connor Sturgeon, was one of the 911 calls released to the public Wednesday that detailed the panic and fear during the shooting that left five dead and three the hospitalized.
Relaying details from her son’s roommate, she said her son “apparently left a note” and expressed her shock and confusion.
“My son may be (redacted) with a gun and heading to Old National on Main Street here in Louisville,” she said in the call. “It’s his mother. I’m so sorry, I got details second hand. I’m learning about it. Oh my God.”
In the CNN interview, Beshear mentioned his friend Tommy Elliott, a bank executive who was among the victims of Monday’s shooting. He said he wanted his friend to be remembered as a loving father and husband.
“Man, he had a big smile. His eyes shone. Loved life. Always up to something. Trying to make the city a better place, he just always up to something, ” he said.
Elliott, the bank’s senior vice president, chaired Beshear’s 2019 inaugural committee and is a prominent figure in Kentucky Democratic politics.
“He’s trying to plan for me when I’m done being governor, which is something I hope we can eventually plan together,” Beshear said. “A wonderful man, a loving father.”
Beshear said he called Elliott’s wife to let her know her husband had been killed.
“He deserves to know,” he said.
Beshear explained that he went to the Old National Bank “immediately” after learning — while in the governor’s office in Frankfort — that the mass shooting had occurred at the bank where his friend worked — and where one the governor is a customer.
“I knew it was going to be hours before somebody else called him. And I thought he deserved to know, and we’re almost right now where I made that call,” he said.
“I’ve been governor during this pandemic, I’ve been governor during tornadoes and floods and -45 degree windchills and so on. “But calling your friend’s wife who’s also your friend to tell you there’s no more her husband is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.”
Beshear on gun laws
Beshear, a Democrat, advocated for the “red flag” laws, but was careful to say he didn’t “want to give anybody false hope” that the new measures to prevent gun will be implemented in a state where Republicans control the legislature.
He did not say whether he would seek to enact new gun restrictions like Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee recently signed an executive order aimed at strengthening background checks in the wake of the Nashville elementary school shooting last month.
Lee, a Republican, also urged the GOP-controlled legislature to pass the equivalent of a “red flag” law, which would allow courts to temporarily seize firearms from anyone. who are believed to be a danger to themselves or others.
Beshear said he had not read Lee’s executive order, but said that because the red flag laws involve the courts, “it makes sure that everybody’s rights are protected, that the evidence is heard. It has every scrutiny.” this is all we can ask for.”
“At least it allows us to stop the next individual – at least if we know – before they kill people,” he said. “And, listen, I know people are going to say it shouldn’t have stopped in this situation. And maybe it won’t. Maybe it’s the next one.
Beshear, who has long advocated for a red flag law in Kentucky, did not say whether he believes one is now politically feasible.
“We definitely have conversations,” he said. “I don’t want to give anyone false hope, but I will continue – maybe I can share at least my perspective of what it’s like to kill a friend.”
In a sign of Kentucky’s pro-gun rights political leanings, state lawmakers this year approved a measure declaring the state a Second Amendment sanctuary and barring local law enforcement officials. in the law to implement federal firearms restrictions. The bill became law without Beshear’s signature.
However, a judge struck down a similar law in Missouri, and Beshear said he believes Kentucky’s law is unconstitutional because state law does not trump federal law — and that it fail when challenged in court.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg in recent days has called on Kentucky lawmakers to allow the city more autonomy to enact gun restrictions within its limits. But such a request is likely to face stiff opposition in Frankfort, where Republicans hold supermajorities in the House and Senate.
“Louisville is hurt, we have to listen to what they are proposing. It doesn’t mean that in the end people will continue with it or not, but at least there will be a conversation and not yell at each other,” said Beshear.
Beshear also said Kentucky needs to address its mental health challenges, and encouraged people to seek help. He confirmed the 2022 launch of the state’s 988 suicide and crisis hotline.
“We also need to break down the stigma. It’s OK to not be OK. I’m not OK now. And many of us won’t be OK for a while,” Beshear said.
“When we talk about mental health, we always try to talk about the last moment or this individual,” he said. “We have to start with our daily lives. We have to start making sure that people get help while they’re dealing with things before it gets to this point, because we always try to also the time and know when. we could have gone in.”
