LOUISVILLE, Ky. — 27-year-old Tyler Gerth died Saturday night while at Jefferson Square Park in downtown Louisville.  

What You Need To Know


  • Tyler Gerth killed at Jefferson Square

  • Suspect Steven Lopez in custody

  • Camping being banned at park

Gerth was a Trinity High School graduate and a graduate of the University of Kentucky. 

Mayor Greg Fischer and Acting Police Chief Robert Schroeder held a news briefing Sunday afternoon. They say Steven Lopez opened fire at the edge of Jefferson Square and others proceeded to pull out guns and begin firing.

 

 

Schroeder said Lopez had been at the protests downtown since the beginning and has been arrested in the past. LMPDs homicide unit is working to try and identify others in the park that had weapons.

LMPD released the arrest citation for Lopez Sunday night.

20-428 Lopez Arrest Citation_Redacted

The report alleges Lopez began firing into a large crowd of people and hit Gerth in the head. He was dead when officers arrived at the park. When Lopez began firing his gun, bystanders who also had guns began shooting back and someone hit Lopez in the leg. Lopez was taken into custody and taken to University Hospital. Witnesses told police it was Lopez who fired into the crowd and surveillance video also shows Lopez firing his gun. 

Because of the shooting Saturday, LMPD and Metro Government are now enforcing an existing law banning camping or temporary shelters in Jefferson Square. This includes equipment or supplies such as grills, lanterns, tents, beds, sleeping bags, etc. Violation of Metro Ordinance 131.01 can result in a citation and the seizure of forbidden property.

LMPD will also be closing Jefferson Square Park each night at 11 p.m. and reopen each morning at 6 a.m. Anyone failing to leave the park can result in a criminal trespass third-degree charge, which is an arrestable offense.

Any property left overnight will be considered abandoned and will be removed. Police will provide warnings before the park is closed each night and give plenty of opportunities for people to leave on their own.   

Louisville Public Works cleared the camp area Sunday and Schroeder began the news briefing apologizing for the manner the camp was cleared and how personal belongings were treated. Schroeder said it wasn't done properly. Sunday night, Fischer announced on his Facebook page that there would be reimbursement for any property that was damaged or destroyed.  Those who were affected can fill out a reimbursment form. 

 

 

 

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