Washington, 11 April 2023 (dpa/MIA) – Five people died in an attack on a bank in the city of Louisville in the US state of Kentucky on Monday, with the gunman livestreaming his rampage before dying during a shootout with police.

The 25-year-old man armed with a rifle had been employed by the bank, according to the police, saying he died at the scene of the Old National Bank.

Louisville deputy police chief Paul Humphrey said officers were on the scene minutes after the emergency call came through Monday morning. During the exchange of gunfire, two officers were among the several people injured. One of the officers was in critical condition after being shot in the head.

The victims were said to be between the ages of 40 and 64.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said two of the dead had been close friends of his, and a third friend was being treated in hospital. Fighting back tears, he described the events as "awful."

President Joe Biden condemned the latest US mass shooting, calling it a "senseless act of gun violence." He demanded Republicans in Congress work with Democrats to tighten gun control laws - an appeal unlikely to be heeded.

Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel, who leads the Louisville Metro Police Department, said it was "tragic to know that that incident was out there and captured" for viewers.

US media reported it was streamed on Instagram and quoted a statement from parent company Meta that it worked quickly to remove the content.

Police said it was not clear whether the gunman had been shot by police or had killed himself. According to the initial investigation, the man was either a current or former employee of the bank. Further background to the potential motive was not given.

Photo: LinkedIn