LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In a few weeks, Louisville will come to grips with one of the most tragic days in our history; the Old National Bank mass shooting that happened last year on April 10.
Maryanne Elliott, the wife of the Old National Bank Vice President Tommy Elliott who died in the shooting, spoke at the 14th Annual Interfaith Iftar Tuesday night, bringing a focus to the grief that she is facing.
The Elliotts have attended Iftar dinners for over a decade. The theme of this years' event: standing together against gun violence.
"It's like someone unplugged my life, and it's been an excruciating experience of loss, disorientation, and suffering," said Maryanne.
Maryanne shared a passage she wrote in her grief journal this past November.
"So when your heart feels crushed, Maryanne, remember his tenderness that made your heart expand in the first place. When your breath feels shallow and anxious, remember his grounding that made you feel secure along the way. And when the joy has left you dry and alone, remember his laughter that fed your soul. Because love never dies," she read aloud.
Maryanne was one of three strong women who shared their stories of gun violence and what's on the other side.
"I was face-to-face with a team of doctors who said, 'Whitney, you're a miracle. You were shot 12 times but not a single one it a major artery,'" said mass shooting survivor Whitney Austin.
Austin survived the Sept. 6, 2018 mass shooting in Cincinnati, Ohio. She had now co-founded an organization focused on ending gun violence.
"It's not just my problem, it's everyone's problem. It's not just a West End problem, South End, East End...all over. It's all of our problem. We're all affected," said Rose Smith, who lost her son to gun violence in 2014.
People of different backgrounds and different religions all came together under one roof for a call to end gun violence.
"Gun violence impacts individuals, their families, communities at large. It takes futures away," Dr. Muhammad Babar, the president of Muslim Americans for Compassion, said.
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He is a close friend to the Elliotts.
"Tommy was looking forward to his retirement, and how he was going to spend his retired years with his children and grandchildren," Babar said.
Victims of gun violence had their lives and futures taken from them, but their loved ones keep their legacy and love alive.
Tommy Elliott was one of five people killed last April in the shooting.
The other victims are Josh Barrick, Deana Eckert, Juliana Farmer and Jim Tutt.
Eight others were injured, including two responding police officers.
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