Five people have been killed in a shooting at a bank building in Louisville, according to police.
Six others were taken to hospital following the shooting.
Louisville Metro Police Department deputy chief Paul Humphrey said: “The shooter was confirmed to be dead on the scene.
“We do not know exactly the circumstances of his death at this time.”
Police said calls came in for an 'active aggressor' at 8:30 a.m. ET at the Old National Bank on East Main Street, not far from the Louisville Slugger Field and Waterfront Park.
Humphrey said that the force believes the 'lone gunman involved in this that did have a connection to the bank...It appears he was a previous employee'.
Witnesses also told Louisville station WHAS-TV that they heard gunfire inside the building.
In a tweet, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said: “Please pray for all of the families impacted and for the city of Louisville.”
The FBI said its agents were also responding to the shooting.
Governor Beshear has since thanked the officers who responded to the scene 'in a matter of minutes'.
He claims that one officer is in surgery 'because he took action to protect the people of Louisville'.
"This is awful. I have a very close friend who didn't make it today," he said. "We've got to wrap our arms around these families.
"Our bodies and our minds are not meant to go through these types of tragedies.
The emotional governor called for 'people who are hurting today' to 'get the help they need' with 'love and compassion'.
"I do believe this is a safe community," he added.
Mayor Craig Greenberg said: "We will come together as a community to work to prevent these horrific acts of gun violence from continuing here and around the state.
"We are a safer community, we are a stronger community."
He also thanked the 'brave and heroic' first responders for their prompt and quick response. “Without a doubt their actions saved lives,” he said.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, tweeted that he is 'devastated' following the tragic news.
"Elaine and I are devastated by the news coming out of Louisville this morning," he wrote.
"Thank you to LMPD and our first responders for your bravery at the scene.
"We send our prayers to the victims, their families, and the city of Louisville as we await more information."
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677
Featured Image Credit: WLKY / WDRB
Anish Vij