Former professional football player Phillip Adams fatally shot five people in Rock Hill, S.C., police said on April 8. [3][4] Five of the shooting victims died, while a sixth is hospitalized in critical condition[5] with serious gunshot wounds. Rock Hill mourns the homicide of prominent doctor, Dr. Robert Lesslie and his family. Example video title will go here for this video. (Video: Reuters) Comment. A sixth person was also shot and survived, officials said. Moments later, a vehicle pulled into their driveway and law enforcement quickly surrounded the property. "It is impossible to imagine the grief that the extended Lesslie family must be feeling," he said. 6 [nb 1] Injured. They don't have the staff to do it, he said. Tolson said Adams forced his way into the home, and police found evidence at the scene that tied him to the killings, though Tolson would notelaborate. 4:52 p.m.: YCSO units arrive on the scene at the Lesslie family's property. Eventually, they found him dead in a bedroom, Tolson said. "Through the decades, they made such an incredible impact on our area and the lives of countless people," Norman said in a statement. Who is Phillip Adams? Friends speak on former NFL player | Charlotte You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. "I saw one person laying on the ground.". We need to have an awakening in our city to let the people know that this is not the direction we want to let our city to go in.". RELATED: Could a head injury in sports lead to CTE? Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. Phillip Adams, South Carolina shooting: Police search for motive A suspect was found in the York County mass shooting the night of April 7, 2021 that left five people dead, according to authorities. He founded two urgent care centers in the area and wrote a weekly medical column for The Charlotte Observer. "I have come to understand that humility may be the greatest virtue. The people that they dedicate to the benefits are spread very thin. Rock Hill mass shooting. These details do not significantly change the timeline of events whatsoever, but instead, add more context to how deputies moved forward in their initial investigation. Many of the individuals who were diagnosed with CTE in life they had what we call emotional lability, which is basically like a short fuse or flying off the handle quickly," said Dr. Dan Daneshvar with Harvard Medical Schoo, "These were often significant personality changes from what the individual and their loved ones previously recorded.. Answers sought on guns, race, NFL following Phillip Adams shooting Tolson said a .45-caliber and a 9 mm weapon were used in Wednesday's shooting. Tolson saidauthorities do not have any information that would suggest the weapons were obtained illegally. "In the coming days, our focus is on helping these families and our team members cope with this tragedy. I was going to find him a job, but he wouldnt leave South Carolina because he had a son. All the deaths are being investigated as homicides, according to the York County Coroner's Office. The 911 calls startedaround 4:45 p.m. Wednesday: A man identifying himself as a supervisor for the repair company said one of his employees called him screaming that he'd been shot. Faris said Lesslie was very well known in the Rock Hill community. A year later, detectives said they still dont know why former NFL football player Phillip Adams went to the Lesslie home and killed six peoplebefore taking how own life. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Updated: 10:41 PM EST December 14, 2021 ROCK HILL, S.C . 0:59. It was hard for him to walk away from the game, especially a guy as dedicated as he was., We encouraged him to explore all of his disability options and he wouldnt do it, Casterline added. But Daneshvar says anyone who is repeatedly hit in the head is at risk of CTE, including boxers and victims of domestic violence. Phillip Adams, a former National Football League player, was named as the suspect. "We have contacted Boston University and they will be working with us to conduct a brain study to identify if Mr. Adams had CTE," the office said in a statement Friday evening, noting that routine forensic autopsies do not identify the disease. Adams played football for most of his life, including six years in the NFL. ROCK HILL, S.C. (AP) Former NFL player Phillip Adams fatally shot five people, including a prominent doctor, his wife and their two grandchildren before killing himself early Thursday. Deputies say this retelling of events was relayed to them by Shook as he lay injured outside. So that was the thought behind the snack shack" Associate Pastor Jon Oliphant explained. The gunman, identified as a former NFL player, died of what authorities believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound, York County Sheriff Kevin Tolson said during a press conference Thursday afternoon. Phillip Adams shot 6 people on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 killing Dr. Robert Lesslie, his wife, two grand children and a Gaston HVAC worker. A man who had been working at the home, James Lewis, 38, from Gaston, was found shot to death outside. Sixty years ago, the city drew national attention for two racist incidents. What matters most is what happens next,"he cried. Phillip Adams: Father of Rock Hill mass shooting suspect says NFL Among the victims: local doctor Robert Lesslie, his wife Barbara, their grandsons Adah and Noah, and North Carolina HVAC technicians James Lewis and Robert Shook. In this Oct. 17, 2010 file photo, San Francisco 49ers cornerback Phillip Adams sits on the sideline during the first quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco. They become impulsive, they lose their self-control, they have aggressive and violent tendencies that they can't check down," McKee said of those individuals with CTE. Over the past two years, Adams behavior shifted dramatically, said his sister, LaurenAdams. The gunman's father told a Charlotte television station that he blamed football for problems that may have led his son to commit Wednesday's violence. It should no longer be swept under the rug, Phyllis Adams said. Both worked for GSM Services in York County. The wounded co-worker, Robert Shook had apparently called them about the shooting, prompting them to directly reach out to dispatch in York County. "There is nothing about this right now that makes sense to any of us," the sheriff said. 2021 Rock Hill shooting - Wikidata Updated: 5:05 PM EDT April 23, 2021. Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP. Allison Hope, who lives across from Adams modest one-story brick home, about a mile from the Lesslies, said police allowed her to return home around 9 p.m. Wednesday. The shooting happened just before 5 p.m. on Marshall Road. The family issued the following statement: "As we process these results, we are deeply saddened by the events that occurred on April 7 and we continue to pray for the families of the victims. One year later: Families remember Rock Hill shooting victims - WCNC-TV On April 7, 2021, six people, including two children, were shot and killed at a house in Rock Hill, South Carolina, United States. Hefounded two urgent care centers in the area and was an author and columnist. Warrants show ex-NFL player Adams mass shooting Rock Hill SC | Rock Lewis shares his pain with the Lesslie and the Shook families. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Youre crazy. And theyll come take away your guns.. He had an injury his rookie year. Dr. Robert Lesslie, 70, and his wife, Barbara, 69, were pronounced dead in their home in Rock Hill along with grandchildren Adah Lesslie, 9, and Noah Lesslie, 5, the York County coroners office said. [6] Adams later killed himself before he could be arrested.[1][7]. Adams parents said their son was not racist and the family has lived in an integrated pocket of the city. He looked out at the crowd gathered for the funeral of Phillip Adams, who played in the NFL for six seasons and was a beloved son, brother, father and now a killer, too. Barbara and Robert Lesslie sang in the choir. Casterline said he spoke regularly with the gunman's father, who left him a voicemail Wednesday morning. The suspect is former NFL player Phillip Adams. Thursday's media briefing included a breakdown of the York County Sheriff's Office response to the tragedy, FORECAST: Highs again below average today, Charlotte leaders propose budget for 2024, At least 6 people killed in crashes on I-55 south of Springfield, Illinois, tragic April 7 shooting that claimed six lives, York County Sheriff's Office provided a timeline of events, North Carolina HVAC technicians James Lewis, rumors about what could have lead to the shooting, 'It's been a tough day' | Friends, Rock Hill community honor family killed in mass shooting, Father of York County shooting suspect says son killed 6 others, then himself, Shooting suspect Phillip Adams played 6 NFL seasons. As the York County community mourned, Rock Hill and the shooting attracted headlines around the country. ", RELATED: Deputies provide timeline of events for Rock Hill shooting. Tolson said Lesslie was a model citizen in the community, someone everyone knew. Former NFL player kills 6 people, then himself, in South Carolina A gunman opened fire at a Rock . C.T. In a statement Friday afternoon, the company said they feeling "guarded" about Shook's fluctuating condition. But before the event, Kirk said, a representative for the Lesslie family told him he no longer would be needed at the event. Thursday marks a year since police say former NFL player Phillip Adams killed six people at a home on Marshall Road in Rock Hill before taking his own life. The losseswe are suffering cannot be uttered at this time. A representative for Adams' family said he was "desperately seeking help" from the NFL but was denied all of his claims because he had trouble remembering things and struggled to complete simple tasks, such as traveling to visit doctors and undergo extensive testing. "We have seen this behavior. It's a few houses down from the Lesslies' home, which sits on a heavily wooded property surrounded by a black fence. Adams father told a Charlotte television station he blamed football for his sons problems, which might have led him to commit Wednesdays violence. Meyers was tracked to Kansas with help from the U.S. Police say Adams shot and killed Robert Lesslie, 70, his wife Barbara Lesslie, 69, and two of their grandchildren, Adah, 9, and Noah, 5, as well as two HVAC workers, James Lewis, 38, and Robert Shook, 38 on April 7 in Rock Hill. [4], On April 8, 2021, the York County Sheriff's Office said in a press conference that the suspect was Adams. When police searched Dr. Lesslies office, they found no evidence Phillip Adams was his patient. Beth Langley, an organizer for the event, did not respond to a request for comment. Adams' parents were evacuated from the home as police surrounded the house and attempted to have him surrender. More than a dozen news vehicles and TV trucks lined the side of Marshall Road outside Adamshome. ROCK HILL, S.C. (FOX 46 CHARLOTTE) A second man wanted for murder in connection to a February homicide in Rock Hill was arrested in Kansas Tuesday, according to the Rock Hill Police Department. , "He wasn't a monster. Monique Ramseur, manager of the funeral home, said she felt there was no choice but to enlist the help of law enforcement given the circumstances. "It doesn't happen here," said Trent Faris, a York County Sheriff's Office spokesman. "No parent should outlive their child.". Contributing: Dustin Wyatt,The Spartanburg Herald-Journal;The Associated Press. 14-year-old charged with attempted murder in Rock Hill shooting - MSN McKee went on to say that Boston University has diagnosed CTE in 700 individuals, including 315 former NFL players. A man who had been working at the Lesslie home, James Lewis, 38, from Gaston, was found shot to death outside. Unfortunately, right now CTE can only be diagnosed after death. She said authorities repeatedly asked Adams to come out, and promised to get his disabled mother out safely, before Adams shot himself. The losses we are suffering cannot be uttered at this time. In 2017, Scott said, he communicated with Adams five or six times in an attempt to help him get benefits. The gunman often isolated himself, even as a player, his agent, Scott Casterline, told the AP. Second suspect arrested for murder in deadly Rock Hill shooting Posted: Mar 3, 2021 / 12:10 PM EST. A gunman killed six people including a prominent doctor and his grandchildren in South Carolina on Wednesday, prompting an hourslong search that led to a suspect in a nearby home, authorities said. Among the victims were Rock Hill doctor Robert Lesslie, Barbara Lesslie, Adah Lesslie, Noah Lesslie, Robert Shook and Tom Lewis. "Theres really not an hour that goes by.". Call 911. He and his wife had four children and nine grandchildren, and were actively involved with their church, as well as with Camp Joy, which works with children with disabilities and where Lesslie served as camp physician for a week each summer. Tobie Nell Perkins. 9 mm handgun [2] Deaths. Police: Suspect called 911 after shooting man to death in Rock Hill Operator in limo crash that killed 20 goes on trial in Schoharie, N.Y. The elder Lewis said his life changed drastically since that day; his health has deteriorated and he suffers from insomnia. Updated December 14, 2021 10:56 AM. Updated: 6:27 PM EDT April 16, 2021. Kinnard reported from Columbia, S.C. Rock Hill is about 26 miles south of Charlotte, North Carolina. It has helped to guide us deeper into fellowship with one another in love. Jackson declined to address the Adams killings but said, The solution is we need to have responsible gun owners and gun carriers. Rock Hill PD (WSOC) By WSOCTV.com News Staff March 24, 2021 at 1:07 pm EDT ROCK HILL, S.C. Police in Rock Hill said a man is behind bars after he shot and killed another man Wednesday morning. A 911 caller reported finding a man on the ground early Tuesday on a street in Rock Hill. "This is something I can't grasp yet. "I also want to send my sincere condolences to the family of James Lewis. FROM APRIL 2021: Rock Hill community honors those killed in mass shooting Thomas Lewis, who is the father of James Lewis, said time doesn't heal all wounds, but he's learning to live with the loss. By participating in the research process, we hope to bring awareness to this condition so that players young and old can understand the risks. All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. ROCK HILL, S.C. (AP) The man charged with killing someone in South Carolina this week had wounded the same victim in a shootout at a North Carolina mall earlier this year, investigators said. York County deputies revealed more new details in an update on April 16, stressing that any updates they shared with the public would come after being first shared with the families of the victims. When Adams was buried at Grandview Memorial Park-Hollis Lakes April 16, the customary, temporary name marker was not left by his grave site. A York County sheriff's deputy is parked outside a residence where multiple people, including a prominent doctor, were fatally shot a day earlier, April 8, 2021, in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Sunday 11 April 2021 15:50. Right now, the disease can only be diagnosed after death, when doctors use a sample of brain tissue to study the brain. Please call 911the man told a 911 operator. ", More:Breaking down Phillip Adams' NFL career: 'I think the football messed him up,' says Adams' father. The new details highlight how Adams attacked, what he was wearing, and how deputies knew where to start looking. Both he and Casterline emphasized Adams didnt drink or do drugs. I think theres been a bad shooting, a different man said in a second 911 call, saying he was outside cutting his grass and heard about 20 shots fired at the Lesslie home before seeing someone leave the house. The gunman would not have been eligible for testing as part of a broad settlement between the league and its former players over such injuries because he hadn't retired by 2014. The following statement that we shared after the event remains true to this day. Jeff is the son of Robert and Barbara Lesslie. A second employee wasn't moving, the man told 911 operators in a call played by authorities during a news conference. He said the process can require players to travel out of state to see doctors and the benefit rules change often. "I know he had been applying for disability and he said they were making it hard for him. We are pleased to have a better understanding of the mental turmoil that Phillip was dealing with during the last moments of his life. What happens next for those trying to curb gun violence as the mass killings continue? Phillip Adams. The sixth victim of a shooting in Rock Hill, South Carolina, earlier this week has died, the York County coroner announced Saturday. "We are working hard to provide some answers.". Paul Scott, who worked for the NFL benefit plan for 13 years and now helps former players apply for benefits, said hes seen the frustration. "Dr. Lesslie has been one of those people that everybody knows. GSM Services identified the surviving victim as Robert Shook, a father of three and "long-time devoted technician." Phillip Adams, a former player, was . Authorities said 24-year-old Brendon Robert Meyers was taken into custody in Ellis County, Kansas for his involvement in the death of Winston Salem resident Harterius Massey who was found shot in a driveway near 300 Rich Street on Feb. 19. Contributors include AP Pro Football Writers Barry Wilner in New York and Rob Maaddi in Philadelphia; Sports writer Josh Dubow in Alameda, Calif.; Legal affairs writer Maryclaire Dale in Philadelphia and Nell Redmond in Rock Hill. Editor's note: The above section on additional details came during the April 16 update. He was drafted by San Francisco in the seventh round out of South Carolina State in 2010 and played as a reserve defensive back for five teams in six years from 2010 to 2015. He had to not be in his right mind, obviously," Casterline said. Lewis and Shook were at the Lesslie home to do HVAC work. (Independent) Alonzo Adams, the father of former NFL player Phillip Adams, said his son shot six people, killing five, before killing himself in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Shook also told deputies there were more victims in the residence, and they found the four Lesslie family members dead in the workout room inside. Mr Adams says he believes his son's football career may be at the root of whatever caused him to snap and carry out the shooting. Charlotte leaders propose budget for 2024, Committee recommends certain projects over others for sustainability of Charlotte, At least 6 people killed in crashes on I-55 south of Springfield, Illinois, Deputies provide timeline of events for Rock Hill shooting, Shooting suspect Phillip Adams played 6 NFL seasons. Two weeks after the rally against gun violence in Rock Hill, gun show is scheduled to be held there at the American Legion Post 34. These men embody the values we strive to achieve at GSM and are family focused, up-beat, and wonderful team members who cared about all the people they encountered," the Longs said. ROCK HILL, S.C.Authorities searched for clues Thursday in the nation's latest shooting spree after police say a former NFL player gunned down five people, including a beloved doctor and his two young grandchildren, before killing himself in a quiet neighborhood. Phillip Adams news: Latest Rock Hill mass shooting updates as Robert Its devastating for the victims and the families.". He is being held until he is extricated back to Rock Hill. However, a donation by his family could lead to future medical advances. Allison Hope, who lives across from the gunman's parents' modest one-story brick home, about a mile from the Lesslies, said police allowed her to return home around 9 p.m. Wednesday. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere. "I know without a doubt that life is fragile," Lesslie wrote, according to an excerpt. "It's one of those strange things that a lot of people are going to have a hard time understanding.". Questions are still swirling about how this shooting happened, mainly on what led Adams to do this. The 38-year-old dedicated his life to his parents, his children, and the woman he planned to marry. 2021 Rock Hill Shooting - YouTube In the minutes, days, and months since, our family has remained fixed on the eternal hope we have in Christ. Gray, president of the NAACP chapter in Rock Hill, said Its impossible to ignore the racial element of the killings. Tolson said there was no indication the gunman, Phillip Adams, had a doctor-patient relationship with Robert Lesslie. This is where they encounter initial gunshot wound victims outside of the home. As far as I know it is, Tom Ayres, the organizations finance officer, told USA TODAY Sports. A sixth victim, Robert Shook, 38, of Cherryville, North Carolina, was flown to a Charlotte hospital, where he was in critical condition fighting hard for his life, said a cousin, Heather Smith Thompson. Related stories from Charlotte Observer. April 9, 2021, 6:13 PM. Phillip Adams shot to death six people in Rock Hill, South Carolina on April 7, . As a rookie late in the 2010 season, the gunman suffered a severe ankle injury that required surgery that included several screws being inserted into the leg. In search of answers, Adams family donated his brain to Boston Universitys CTE Center, where Dr. Ann McKeefound he suffered from a severe case of a brain disease most often seen in athletes. I think he got upset about that and thats kind of where it started, with him kind of feeling like the whole world was against him.. Following the shootings, Gast obtained special permission to have Phillips' brain tissue sent in for CTE tests. Lewis and the surviving victim -- who was in critical condition following the shooting -- were air conditioning techs with the company GSM Services and were found shot beside their work vans, York County Sheriff Kevin Tolsonsaid. This is so unlike him. York County Sheriff Kevin Tolson reads a statement from the victims' families during a press conference on Thursday, April 8, 2021, in York, S.C., where he addressed the mass shooting by former NFL football player Phillip Adams. "He was part of my family. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasnt authorized to speak publicly. The NFL released a statement Wednesday in regard to the report: "We appreciate the work done by Dr. McKee and her colleagues for the value it adds in the ongoing quest for a better understanding of CTE. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Timeline of events in tragic Rock Hill shooting | wcnc.com She said Adams' 20-year football career undoubtedly contributed to CTE. Its like a revival and we need to revive our city, said Nikita Jackson, a Rock Hill councilwoman whonoted the event was in the works before the Adamskillings. "He had treated me in the past," he said. ROCK HILL, S.C. (FOX 46 CHARLOTTE) . Contact Indira Eskieva atieskieva@wcnc.comand follow her onFacebook,TwitterandInstagram. Robert Shook, 38, died Saturday from injuries sustained during the shooting, the York County Coroner said. By Stephanie Bunao. . Adams was from Rock Hill. We have even seen homicidal behavior in individuals diagnosed with CTE. By Andrew Dys and. And I am convinced we need to take the time to say the things we deeply feel to the people we deeply care about.".