This bodycam and bystander footage shows LMPD Officers Nickolas Wilt and Cory Galloway responding to the bank shooting in Lousiville, KY, on April 10, 2023.

Author's note: While the incident in its entirety, from dispatch to downing the shooter, lasted seven minutes, I have condensed some of the footage- mainly that of Galloway in cover, as a concrete barrier is largely the only thing in view. No dialogue or actions taken in the body cam footage as provided by LMPD have otherwise been altered or omitted.

Footage begins from the perspective of Ofc. Wilt. While it does not change the outcome of this incident, I feel it important to note that this shooting occurs on Wilt's 10th day out of the Academy. Wilt is driving in response to the active shooter report, with Galloway as Field Training Officer (FTO) in the passenger seat. At 0:19 seconds, Wilt parks the car and gunfire from within the bank can be heard. As Galloway orders Wilt to "back up", the suspect was possibly firing at the car. At 0:28, the officers exit the car. Galloway retrieves an assault rifle from the trunk. The officers begin moving toward the bank at 0:46. Galloway takes the lead with the rifle at 0:51. Galloway uses a concrete corner as cover, radioing in their position and direction from which they will enter the bank. As the two officers ascend the stairs and attempt to ingress, Wilt is shot in the head. This footage is not depicted here.

At 1:02 in this compilation, we see the events from Galloway's point of view, from the point of taking up the rifle. At 01:38, the suspect begins to fire. Behind Galloway, Wilt is downed. Turning to check on his partner, Galloway trips and falls on his back at 01:41, but rolls to recover and retreats down another set of steps, using the concrete block as cover (Updated 4/12/23- Galloway did not trip but was in fact grazed by fire from suspect). At 01:47, he initially tries to radio that Wilt has been shot. We can see the camera tilt as Galloway pivots, assessing the situation. Cursory assessment reveals that at this point, any officer that tries to retrieve Wilt will draw fire from the suspect. At 2:07, the suspect begins firing again, proving that Wilt is effectively pinned with Galloway unable to get to him. At 02:46, other officers arrive on Galloway's left, at which point Galloway describes the situation and discusses "plating" to retrieve Wilt- that is, using body armor to block the suspect's line of fire and visibility. Other officers are seen to Galloway's right (other side of the stairs) as they arrive. At 03:26, the suspect fires again. At 03:30, despite remarking that he doesn't have an angle, Galloway and the suspect begin exchanging fire. Galloway remarks that he has incapacitated the shooter at 03:35. He immediately begins directing other officers to recover Wilt. At 4:03, Galloway makes ingress into the bank, confirming as he clears the stairs that the suspect is confirmed down.

What follows after is a bystander's cellphone video of Galloway's response. I included this footage both for tactical value, as Galloway shifts from one side of the column to the other and doesn't often stay still, and to emphasize that while this incident was occuring, there were both bystanders as close as across the street and vehicles passing through.

At time of writing, Officer Nickolas Wilt is alive, but in critical condition due to injuries sustained.

About the Author

Cole Simms

Cole Simms is an Air Guardsman, NASA enthusiast, police officer, and security contractor with particular experience in austere environments. Outside of work, he volunteers as a Stop The Bleed instructor for area schools. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and blends his knowledge and experience to write analysis for Funker530.