$500,000 donated in honor of Old National Bank shooting victim as loved ones hope for more change

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The legacy of one of the victim's from the Old National Bank shooting will live on through a generous donation.

An anonymous person made a $500,000 donation to WaterStep in honor of Tommy Elliott and his wife Maryanne Elliott.

Elliott was Old National Bank’s senior vice president, and one of five victims killed when an employee opened fire in the bank's downtown Louisville branch.

To honor him and the donation, WaterStep hosted an event attended by Elliott's wife, Maryanne, and Elliott's longtime friend, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.

"The generosity that we're seeing here today, I hope we see as a reflection of his and Maryanne's generosity and all they have done," Beshear said.

WaterStep is a Louisville-based nonprofit that creates sustainable solutions to solve water, sanitation and hygiene crises globally.

"This gift has positioned WaterStep to become the solution to provide safe water in the world," said WaterStep CEO Mark Hogg. "With many of our pilot programs concluding and showing profound positive impacts in Africa, we’re ecstatic about the opportunities for the future of safe water for people all over the world."

Hogg said the donation in the Elliott's honor has inspired other gifts, and nearly quadrupled the money hoped for to start its latest initiative.

"Maryanne, I want you to know that I believe this vision, this moment, goes well beyond any kind of recognition or tribute for you and Tommy because I believe you have inspired endowment of support, of prayer and the opportunity we can make difference to transform lives of millions," Hogg said.

"I know his (Tommy's) legacy will live on as long as people continue to do good work in the world starting at home and also in their communities," said Maryanne Elliott.

While the donation will bring change for those living across the globe, there is also hope from both Beshear and Maryanne Elliott to bring change closer to home in Kentucky.

“The day we lost Tommy and his friends and co-workers at Old National, it was one of the toughest days of my life but I know a very dark day here in Kentucky," said Beshear.

Kentucky Sen. Whitney Westerfield, R-Fruit Hill, plans to bring forth legislation this session related to red flag laws, or known as CARR, Crisis Aversion and Rights Retention.

Westerfed presented two versions of a proposed law in December 2023.

Referred to as CARR, the law would allow courts to temporarily remove a gun from someone if they are deemed a threat to themselves or others. But some conservatives argue it infringes on Second Amendment rights.

Maryanne Elliott attended the senate judiciary committee meeting when lawmakers discussed CARR in support.

It is also backed by Sen. David Yates, D-Louisville. Yates was also a friend of Elliott's.

Beshear said red flag laws are not a Democratic or Republican issues, and said Kentucky is past due in creating a law.

"We trust court for custody of our children, surely we can trust them enforcing second amendment rights while also protecting the lives of our people," he said. "In this instance (Old National Bank shooting), it might have helped but we know in other instances it absolutely would have."

Lawmakers have not yet filed their version of a red flag law.

Beshear is also pushing for a bill that prevents auctioning off weapons or guns used in murders. 

A foundation has been set up in Tommy Elliott's name. For more information on that, click here.

For more information on WaterStep, click here.