LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Six months removed from the mass shooting that shook Louisville to its core, taking five lives and forever changing countless others, the question over motive looms over the case.
On Tuesday, Louisville Metro Police told WHAS11 that its investigation into the Old National Bank shooting remains open and active, looking into the shooter's motive and the events that played out prior to the tragedy. But a spokesperson said, "No other information is available at this time."
According to Morgan Hall, spokesperson for the Kentucky Medical Examiner's Office, autopsy results are in the hands of LMPD's public integrity unit (PIU).
In a statement Tuesday, Hall confirmed that autopsy results won't be released "until LMPD, other investigating parties and the deceased family members’ grant permission."
In late July, Hall said LMPD's PIU hadn't yet made a 'prosecutorial decision' in the investigation, telling WHAS 11 that the PIU requested that records not be released.
"At this time in the investigation, the public dissemination of the medical examiner’s report will have an adverse impact on the LMPD PIU’s ability to properly investigate this matter," Hall said in the July statement, suggesting findings won't be released as long as the case is open.
In recent months, city leaders -- including Louisville's mayor -- have committed to being transparent with the public on the investigation, promising to share details as soon as they deem it appropriate.
WHAS11 asked LMPD Chief Jackie Gwinn-Villaroel in late July about a timeline -- when the public may know more into why the shooter did it?
Her response that day, "Whatever we put out, or whatever we release, we want to be mindful of the victims who have been impacted by that unfortunate day," Gwinn-Villaroel said.
Dr. Muhammad Babar, a Louisville physician, has been one of the most outspoken advocates for legislative change since the bank shooting. But he also acknowledges knowing exactly what needs to change is difficult without knowing all the details in this case.
"We need to know more about these incidents. We need to have more information," Babar said. "What else could have been done? How could we have prevented this rampage of death?"
PHOTOS | Memorial honoring victims of Louisville mass shooting grows
On Tuesday, WHAS11 got insight from a Louisville prosecutor explaining why these kinds of cases can take some time.
Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Kristi Gray has no connection to the case itself, but spoke on her understanding of investigations this large and how the findings typically go to state and federal agencies to prevent future heartbreak.
"There are a lot of answers that they seek through these investigations, more than just about what happened in those few seconds that morning," Gray said. "[It's] to see if anything can be changed, either in building security or [to] improve their ability to detect these things -- if there are warning signs."
We also talked with the attorney representing the shooter's family, who told us the family hasn't heard anything further from LMPD in "quite some time."
In the months after the shooting, Tommy Elliot's family has created a fund in his name and qualities. The Tommy Elliott Fund for Community Leadership recognizes individuals as they pursue civic work.
It aims to inspire individuals to build community by bringing people of diverse demographics and points of view together to achieve greater societal benefit. The annual grant awards up to $20,000.
Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.