Widow of Louisville's Old National Bank mass shooting victim turns grief into purpose

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The widow of one of the five people killed in the mass shooting at Old National Bank in downtown Louisville is turning her grief into purpose.

Maryanne Elliott's husband, Tommy Elliott, was killed when a 25-year-old gunman armed with an AR-15 opened fire, killing four other people and injuring several others.

Elliott created The Tommy Elliott Fund for Community Leadership in his honor, with the goal of inspiring others to build community by bringing people of diverse backgrounds and points of view together "to achieve greater societal benefit."

The fund sponsored the inaugural "StoryFest: A Celebration of Resilience, Community, and Storytelling," also founded by Elliott, at the Muhammad Ali Center Thursday evening, two years after the Old National Bank shooting.

The idea behind the organization is to help local nonprofits share their stories, while also supporting them with thousands of dollars in grants.

"Together, we demonstrate that Louisville does not just endure tragedy; we rise from it, stronger and more connected than ever," Elliott said in a news release, calling StoryFest a declaration of hope.

Elliott said StoryFest helped her in her journey to turn her grief into purpose while helping the community.

"I miss him every day. Every minute of every day, I miss him all the time," she said. "StoryFest remembers the tragedy of April 10, and also seeks to reclaim it, and reclaim the day for hope and unity in our community. It's a response not to what happens to us, but what we do in coming together and loving and supporting one another."

Brightside Foundation, The ACE Project, The Healing Place, The Louisville Orchestra, The Pete Foundation and Wilderness Louisville all received grants during Thursday evening's event.

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