Holly MatkinLouisville, KY – A local anti-police activist was arrested Monday after he allegedly opened fire on Louisville Democratic Mayoral Candidate Craig Greenberg.
Greenberg said during a press conference later in the day that at least one round grazed his shirt, according to the Courier Journal.
The attack occurred at the mayoral candidate’s campaign office in the Butchertown Market building at approximately 10:15 a.m. on Feb. 14.
Greenberg later told reporters that he and four members of his staff were in the middle of a meeting when the suspect, Quintez Brown, barged in, the Courier Journal reported.
He said the suspect suddenly, “pulled out a gun, aimed directly at me and began shooting,” according to the paper.
One of the staff members was able to slam the door on the attacker just before the rest of the group barricaded the door with desks and tables.
Louisville police said they responded to the scene after receiving a report of “an active aggressor,” the Courier Journal reported.
The Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) confirmed Greenberg’s office was the target of the attack and that he and his staff were evacuated.
“My team is blessed no one was physically injured today,” Greenberg during the press conference, according to the Courier Journal. “Despite one bullet coming so close that it grazed my sweater and my shirt, no one was physically harmed and we’re extraordinarily grateful for our safety.”
He said he was also thankful for the swift police response and for the way his staff jumped into action during the attack.
“I’m very fortunate to have a great team of great people who responded that way,” he told reporters.
My team and I are fortunately all safe. We are all with LMPD now. I will provide an update as soon as possible. Thank you for the outpouring of support.
— Craig Greenberg (@RunWithCraig) February 14, 2022
LMPD announced Monday night they had arrested Brown in connection with the attack, the Courier Journal reported.
Brown, a 21-year-old former intern for The Courier Journal, has been charged with four counts of wanton endangerment and attempted murder.
He was taken into custody outside Greenberg’s campaign office, WDRB reported.
Brown has been active with Black Lives Matter Louisville and spoke to WDRB in 2020 about protesting police.
“We have no reason to believe at this time that this individual was acting anything but alone,” LMPD Chief Erika Shields said earlier in the day, according to the Courier Journal.
Brown recently announced he planned to run for Louisville Metro Council in District 5.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosive was called in to assist with the ongoing investigation.
A motive has not been released.
“At this time, we need to allow law enforcement to do their work and so I will not be commenting further about the situation or speculating on the shooter’s motivations while police complete their ongoing investigation,” Greenberg told WDRB.
He said he and his staff “are shaken, but safe,” according to WLKY.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said during a press conference that he has known Greenberg for many years, WLKY reported.
Beshear called the attack “scary and horrible,” and said he reached out to Greenberg as soon as he learned about the shooting.
“We’re praying for him and his family and their safety,” the governor said. “I know what it’s like to have the threats, but this is a step above and beyond that.”
In the Louisville public safety plan his campaign released in January, Greenberg called for “fully” staffing and funding a “community-oriented police force” while simultaneously expanding various social programs, the Courier Journal reported.
“It’s not lost on me that the violence my staff and I experienced today is far to common in our city,” he told reporters Monday.
“Too many local families have experienced the trauma of gun violence,” Greenberg continued. “Too many in Louisville were not as blessed as my team and I were today to survive. Clearly, much more work needs to be done to end this senseless gun violence and make Louisville a safer place for everyone.”
