A representative for Connor Sturgeon’s family told ABC News that the mass shooting suspect’s brain would be examined for signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Pete Palmer, the company’s spokesman, said the testing findings won’t be available for a few weeks.
Sturgeon, 25, is accused of opening fire at Old National Bank on Monday, killing five and wounding eight. Sturgeon, a bank employee, was shot and killed by police after opening fire with an AR-15. Degenerative brain disease, commonly seen in athletes and veterans with a history of repeated head trauma.
According to the CTE Center at Boston University, former NFL player Phillip Adams, who police say killed six people in Rock Hill, South Carolina in 2021, had CTE at the time of the mass shooting. Autopsy is the only way to confirm a diagnosis of CTE.
Adams committed suicide by gunshot after the incident; he had played tackle football for 21 years. The Louisville Courier Journal reports that young Sturgeon suffered repeated concussions while playing sports.
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On the morning of the shooting, Sturgeon’s mother called 911 and said, “He’s never hurt anyone, he’s a really good kid.” The suspect’s family said in a statement Tuesday,
“While Connor, like many of his contemporaries, had mental health challenges which we, as a family, were actively addressing, there were never any warning signs or indications he was capable of this shocking act.”
“While we have many unanswered questions, we will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement officials and do all we can to aid everyone in understanding why and how this happened.”
“No words can express our sorrow, anguish, and horror at the unthinkable harm our son Connor inflicted on innocent people, their families, and the entire Louisville community,” the family added.
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