The brain of Louisville, Kentucky, mass shooting suspect Connor Sturgeon will be tested for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, commonly known as CTE, a family spokesperson told ABC News.

The results of the testing will take several weeks, spokesperson Pete Palmer said.

Sturgeon, 25, allegedly killed five people and injured eight others in Monday’s mass shooting at Old National Bank. Sturgeon, who worked at the bank, was armed with an AR-15 and was killed by officers at the scene.

PHOTO: Law enforcement officers gather outside the front entrance of the Old National Bank building after a gunman opened fire on April 10, 2023 in Louisville, Ky.

Law enforcement officers gather outside the front entrance of the Old National Bank building after a gunman opened fire on April 10, 2023 in Louisville, Ky.

Luke Sharrett/Getty Images

PHOTO: Police deploy at a shooting near Slugger Field baseball stadium in downtown Louisville, Ky., April, 10, 2023.

Police deploy at a shooting near Slugger Field baseball stadium in downtown Louisville, Ky., April, 10, 2023.

Michael Clevenger/USA Today Network via Reuters

CTE is a degenerative brain disease found in those with a history of repetitive brain trauma — often athletes and veterans.

Former NFL player Phillip Adams, who police said killed six people in Rock Hill, South Carolina, in 2021, had CTE at the time he carried out the mass shooting, according to the Boston University CTE Center. CTE can only be formally diagnosed after an autopsy. Adams, who spent 21 years playing tackle football, died from a self-inflicted gunshot after the shooting.

According to the Louisville Courier Journal, Sturgeon experienced multiple concussions from playings sports as a child.

PHOTO: Connor Sturgeon is seen here in an undated file photo from his LinkedIn page.

Connor Sturgeon is seen here in an undated file photo from his LinkedIn page.

Connor Sturgeon/LinkedIn

Sturgeon’s mother called 911 the morning of the shooting, telling the dispatcher, “He’s never hurt anyone, he’s a really good kid.”

PHOTO: Broken glass remains on the floor at the Old National Bank on April 10, 2023 in Louisville, Ky.

Broken glass remains on the floor at the Old National Bank on April 10, 2023 in Louisville, Ky.

Michael Swensen/Getty Images

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.

PHOTO: Investigators inspect bullet holes at the scene of a mass shooting at Old National Bank in downtown Louisville, Ky., April, 10, 2023.

Investigators inspect bullet holes at the scene of a mass shooting at Old National Bank in downtown Louisville, Ky., April, 10, 2023.

Jeffrey Dean/Reuters

ABC News’ Alondra Valle and Victoria Arancio contributed to this report.



Source link