LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Thursday, April 10 was the second anniversary of the deadly mass shooting at the Old National Bank in Louisville.
During the 2023 shooting, five people were killed and eight others were injured.
The shooter, a bank employee, was shot and killed by Louisville Metro Police.
The tragedy became a pivotal moment for a widow who’s using the power of storytelling to inspire and build hope. The day after Easter 2023 Maryanne Elliott’s life changed.
“As I was walking through the corridors of the hospital, I knew that I was going from a before to an after,” Elliott said.
On April 10, 2023, she received a call that her husband was among the victims, Tommy Elliott along with Deana Eckert, James Tutt, Juliana Farmer and Josh Barrick had been killed.
“My before was a time where I felt very safe. I felt loved for just being me. And in my after, I didn’t know what I would have after. I had shock and confusion. I would say a soul crushing emptiness,” Elliott said.
On Thursday, Elliott honored the inaugural event called StoryFest.
“StoryFest remembers the tragedy of April 10th and also seeks to reclaim it and reclaim the day for hope and unity in our community. It’s a response to not what happens to us, but what we do in coming together and supporting and loving one another,” Elliott said.
Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., recalled his friend Tommy. He said some days grief feels like 20 minutes ago to 20 years ago.
“I’m committed to making sure that last tragic memories that I have of my friend don’t overwhelm or blot out the incredible years of friendship and love that we all experience together. and as I think back on some of my favorite times, they’re all stories,” Beshear said.
Through the Tommy Elliott Fund for Community Leadership, StoryFest helps six nonprofits achieve their purpose using the power of storytelling.
“From the sadness that Maryanne had and the community that came around her, it’s a message of being there for your fellow Louisvillians. And, I think I would I really embrace being part of that, where we are helping a community that is devastated for whatever reason. if it’s by flooding, by disinvestment, whatever it is, that we’re there to help our neighbors and to be there for them,” said Prasanthi Persad, executive director of Wilderness Louisville.
The Tommy Elliott Fund for Community Leadership awarded six grants totaling $50,000.
