A spokesperson for the family of the Louisville, Kentucky mass shooting suspect has revealed that his brain will be examined for signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease commonly found in individuals with a history of repetitive brain trauma, such as athletes and veterans. The testing results will be available in several weeks, according to the spokesperson, Pete Palmer.
The suspect, who was employed at Old National Bank, allegedly killed five people and injured eight others during Monday’s mass shooting while armed with an AR-15. He was killed by officers at the scene.
The Boston University CTE Center stated that former NFL player Phillip Adams, who killed six people in Rock Hill, South Carolina in 2021, had CTE at the time of the shooting. CTE is only diagnosed after an autopsy. Adams, who played tackle football for 21 years, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after the shooting.
According to the Louisville Courier Journal, the suspect suffered multiple concussions as a child while playing sports.
The suspect’s mother called 911 on the day of the shooting, saying “He’s never hurt anyone; he’s a really good kid.”
In a statement, the suspect’s family acknowledged his mental health challenges, which they were actively addressing. They also expressed their grief and pledged to cooperate fully with law enforcement officials to understand why and how the shooting occurred.