Rookie officer wounded in bank mass shooting opens eyes for first time

Old National Bank shooting FILE PHOTO: Police tape surrounds the Old National Bank after a gunman opened fire on April 10, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. A gunman who was also confirmed dead at the scene opened fire inside the bank killing five people and wounding several others. (Photo by Michael Swensen/Getty Images) (Michael Swensen/Getty Images)

By Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The rookie Louisville police officer who was shot in the head during a mass shooting at Old National Bank on April 10 has opened his eyes for the first time since that deadly day.

>> Read more trending news

The Louisville Metro Police Department said that Officer Nick Wilt made a “huge step forward” in his recovery, WLKY reported.

Wilt, who had been on the job for only a few days, was shot in the head when he responded to a shooting at the bank. Five bank employees were killed in the attack and several other people were hurt.

[ Louisville shooting: What we know about the victims ]

WDRB reported that Wilt was one of two officers who responded to the shooting. It was the fourth shift he had been on with the force.

He has been listed in critical condition since the April 10 shooting and had to undergo brain surgery.

[ Louisville shooting: Police release 911 calls ]

Wilt’s family made a statement shared by the Louisville Metro Police Foundation, saying, “Nick is making progress and taking steps forward in his recovery. He’s fighting hard and we couldn’t be more proud of him.”

His doctors and nurses are also working on getting him off the machines that have helped him recover.

Several dead in shooting at Louisville bank Crime scene tape cordons off a street as law enforcement officers respond to an active shooter near the Old National Bank building on April 10, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. According to initial reports, there are multiple casualties but the shooter is no longer a threat. (Luke Sharrett/Getty Images)

Several dead in shooting at Louisville bank Law enforcement officers respond to an active shooter near the Old National Bank building on April 10, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. According to initial reports, there are multiple casualties but the shooter is no longer a threat. (Luke Sharrett/Getty Images)

Several dead in shooting at Louisville bank A police officer stands by at an active shooter incident near the Old National Bank building on April 10, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. According to initial reports, there are multiple casualties but the shooter is no longer a threat. (Luke Sharrett/Getty Images)

Several dead in shooting at Louisville bank Law enforcement officers respond to an active shooter near the Old National Bank building on April 10, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. According to initial reports, there are multiple casualties but the shooter is no longer a threat. (Luke Sharrett/Getty Images)

Several dead in shooting at Louisville bank Law enforcement officers respond to an active shooter near the Old National Bank building on April 10, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. According to initial reports, there are multiple casualties but the shooter is no longer a threat. (Luke Sharrett/Getty Images)

Several dead in shooting at Louisville bank Andy Beshear, Governor of Kentucky, speaks during a news conference after a gunman opened fire at the Old National Bank building on April 10, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. According to reports, there are multiple fatalities and injuries but the shooter died at the scene. (Luke Sharrett/Getty Images)

Several dead in shooting at Louisville bank Officials listen during a news conference after a gunman opened fire at the Old National Bank building on April 10, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. According to reports, there are multiple fatalities and injuries. The shooter died at the scene. (Luke Sharrett/Getty Images)

Several dead in shooting at Louisville bank Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg speaks during a news conference after a gunman opened fire at the Old National Bank building on April 10, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. According to reports, there are multiple fatalities and injuries. The shooter died at the scene. (Luke Sharrett/Getty Images)

Several dead in shooting at Louisville bank A law enforcement officer carries a roll of crime scene tape after a gunman opened fire at the Old National Bank building on April 10, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. According to reports, there are multiple fatalities and casualties. The shooter died at the scene. (Luke Sharrett/Getty Images)

Several dead in shooting at Louisville bank A law enforcement officer carries a roll of crime scene tape after a gunman opened fire at the Old National Bank building on April 10, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. According to reports, there are multiple fatalities and casualties. The shooter died at the scene. (Luke Sharrett/Getty Images)

Several dead in shooting at Louisville bank Law enforcement officers respond to an active shooter at the Old National Bank building on April 10, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. According to reports, there are multiple fatalities and casualties. The shooter died at the scene. (Luke Sharrett/Getty Images)

Several dead in shooting at Louisville bank Kentucky State Troopers respond to an active shooter at the Old National Bank building on April 10, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. According to reports, there are multiple fatalities and casualties. The shooter died at the scene. (Luke Sharrett/Getty Images)

Several dead in shooting at Louisville bank Members of the media work at the scene of an active shooter at the Old National Bank building on April 10, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. According to reports, there are multiple fatalities and casualties. The shooter died at the scene. (Luke Sharrett/Getty Images)