LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- After last week's shooting at the Kroger in Jeffersontown, local faith leaders made a plea for action to Kentucky lawmakers Monday.
Members of the Interdenominational Ministerial Coaliton stood shoulder-to-shoulder on the steps of First Baptist Church in Jeffersontown in solidarity, the church where police say the suspect, Gregory Bush, was seen on surveillance video pulling and banging on the doors just minutes before shooting two African Americans at the Stonybrook Kroger.
The faith group is calling for state hate crime laws to be strengthened. Currently, the hate crime statute doesn't include murder charges, of which Bush faces two.
"Our legislation in the state of Kentucky is weak, and we are concerned about that, because it's our policies that also determine our values," said David Snardon with the Interdenominational Ministerial Coalition. "The question we have is what do we really value? Who do we really value?"
Mayor Greg Fischer calls the Kroger shooting a hate crime and is also calling for the penalties for committing such an act in Kentucky to be strengthened.
The mayor's office will hold a "Moment of Unity" on Wednesday.
Related Stories:
- McConnell calls Kroger shooting a hate crime, says political rhetoric should be dialed back
- Civil rights activists push prosecutors for hate crime charges in deadly Kroger shooting
- Louisville church asks 'why?' during vigil for member killed at Kroger
- Accused Kroger shooter tried to enter nearby church before going to the store
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