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Louisville bank gunman's brain to be tested for CTE, lawyer says after shooting killed 5 people

Andrew Wolfson   | Louisville Courier Journal
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The family of a man who killed five people in a mass shooting at Old National Bank in Louisville, will have his brain examined for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a lawyer said Thursday.

CTE is a rare brain condition caused by repetitive head trauma, and scientists have said there is a correlation between CTE and violence but that it is unclear if one causes the other.

Connor Sturgeon's family said in a statement issued late Tuesday they had seen no signs that the 25-year-old was capable of the mass shooting, which also left eight people injured, including a police officer who was shot in the head. Sturgeon was killed by another officer responding to the scene.

Sturgeon had mental health challenges that the family was "actively addressing," but the statement said "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," the statement continued.

Peter Palmer, one of the family's lawyers, said Thursday the brain will be sent out to be tested for CTE.

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CTE usually diagnosed after death

CTE has been detected in the brains of athletes who played violent sports, including football, and usually can only be diagnosed after death. The Mayo Clinic says symptoms – among the few people diagnosed with the condition – include impulsive behavior and violence.

Sturgeon suffered multiple concussions playing sports as a youth, causing him to wear a soft leather helmet playing basketball at Floyd Central High School, about 12 miles northwest of Louisville in Southern Indiana.

He was a syndications associate and portfolio banker at Old National Bank.

In a 911 call Monday morning, Sturgeon's mother said: “He’s never hurt anyone. He’s a really good kid.” She repeatedly told the operator her son did not own guns. Police said he bought the AR-15 used at the bank six days before the shooting.

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