LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Mayors of both Louisville and Jeffersontown are speaking out about the shooting that killed two people at an east end Kroger.
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer says he's sickened and heartbroken by the tragedy. He made an emotional statement confirming that 69-year-old Maurice E. Stallard, who died in the shooting, was the father of the city's racial equity director, Kellie Watson.
The second victim of the shooting was identified as 67-year-old Vickie Lee Jones. Both Stallard and Jones died of multiple gunshot wounds on Wednesday afternoon, according to the Jefferson County Coroner's office.
Fischer also released a statement sending condolences to the Jones family.
"The people of Louisville have learned about Mrs. Jones’ kind heart, her career as a public servant with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the many family members and friends who are grieving today. I join them in mourning her loss and celebrating her life.”
Suspect Gregory Bush was arrested shortly after the shootings outside the Stony Brook Kroger at the intersection of Hurstborne Parkway and Taylorsville Road. The 51-year-old is facing two counts of murder and 10 counts of wanton endangerment. He has pleaded not guilty, and bond was set at $5 million.
For now, Fischer won't talk about motives or speculation that this was a hate crime, but he did say he is angry.
"Today, I am just sick and heartbroken and quite angry. I feel that way about any act of violence and cruelty," he said. "We are one city -- one proudly diverse and welcoming city -- and we have one shared future. Our city and our future have no room for anyone who looks at their fellow human beings with hate or discrimination," Fischer added.
Jeffersontown Mayor Bill Dieruf released a long statement saying that the Kroger shooting "will not define us."
"The City of Jeffersontown is mourning today following the senseless violence that occurred in our community yesterday. The sense of family here prevails beyond a single home and is embraced throughout our neighborhoods, businesses and schools. We are kindred spirits no matter our walk of life or how we worship or what we look like. We take pride in that."
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the Vicki Jones and Maurice Stallard whose lives were cut short in this senseless act - and especially want to remember the grandson who was with his grandfather at the time of the shooting. We also seek a sense of peace for the store employees and residents of our community who were witnesses to the terrible tragedy."
"We are grateful to our Jeffersontown Police Department that responded to the scene within minutes and also want to thank the Jeffersontown Fire Department and Louisville Metro Police for their assistance. The Jeffersontown officers' quick action stopped a killer and prevented him from harming anyone else. We also are encouraged by and grateful to the citizens who stepped forward to offer aid and information that helped officers capture the shooter without further incident."
"The Jeffersontown City Council and I stand strong with our community today. The action of one individual will not prevent Jeffersontown from maintaining its sense of family and unity. We take pride in our resilient community and know that we will move forward together and not let this incident define us."
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