LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Wednesday, May 10 marks one month since the Old National Bank shooting in Louisville, where a 25-year-old gunman shot and killed five people, injuring eight others.
The mass shooting shocked the city, state and country. Members of the Louisville Ballet, neighbors to the downtown bank, are recalling the horrific incident and speaking on how to use art to heal.
“I think the primary reaction to the situation was hard for our neighbors and fear for our own safety,” said Robert Curran, artistic director at the Louisville Ballet.
He recalls that Monday morning vividly. He was on his way to work.
“What happened a month ago for some of our Louisville Ballet family involved them seeking shelter in our basement,” Curran recalled. “It involves frantic calls to those of our family who weren’t downtown yet, wanting them to stay away and also, some of our Louisville Ballet family were on the street helping first responders.”
He’s been the artistic director for almost 10 years and even banks with Old National Bank. He said the shooting’s quite literally too close to home.
“Nothing that I’ve gone through, nothing that I went through on the day, even compares in any way to work,” Curran said. “The families of these people that I know and care about have gone through and so, my heart and all of all of our Louisville ballet families.”
Vigils, tributes and memorials grew to honor Deana Eckert, James Tutt, Thomas Elliott, Juliana Farmer and Josh Barrick hours following the mass shooting.
“Our role is in our community, our role in the healing of the community because we do believe at Louisville Ballet that art has the capacity to heal,” Curran said.
He deeply believes art has the power to heal.
“In times gone by, dance has been an amazing escape for me, being able to indulge in the technique to be in a safe space of a studio,” Curran said.
He said as an artistic leader, it’s on him now to create that safe space.
“If you need a moment, if you need some time to heal, if you need some respite from some of the big challenges that exist in life, you’re welcome at Louisville Ballet,” Curran said.
LMPD Officer Nickolas Wilt and his training officer responded to the scene of the shooting. Wilt, shot in the head shortly after arriving, required brain surgery was in a coma for weeks.
This week, LMPD announced that Officer Wilt has made some promising recovery. Wilt has been taken off the ventilator and other life-support equipment.