Former NFL player Phillip Adams, 33, was identified as the man who killed 5 people and then himself in the Charlotte metropolitan area of Rock Hill on Wednesday (April 6) afternoon.
According to local reports, a prominent doctor that lived near Adams' parents, and who treated Adams, was shot. The doctor was revealed to be Dr. Robert Lesslie, 70, and his wife, Barbara Lesslie, 69, were pronounced dead at the scene. Their grandchildren Adah Lesslie, 9, and Noah Lesslie, 5, were also shot and killed, along with James Lewis, 38, who was working at the Lesslie's home. A sixth person was hospitalized with "serious gunshot wounds," according to York County Sheriff’s Office’s spokesperson Trent Faris.
Police searched for the suspect and found Adams at a nearby home. He reportedly killed himself after midnight with a .45-caliber weapon.
Adams played in the NFL over five seasons for six teams, including the Jets and Falcons. He was drafted by the 49ers in 2010 as a seventh-round draft pick. Alonzo Adams, Phillip's father, spoke out after news broke about his son being the gunman in the deadly incident, and he told WCNC, "I can say he's a good kid. I think the football messed him up." He added, "I don't think he ever did anybody any harm. All I can say is we pray for the family. He used to be my doctor a long time ago. I know they were good folks down there. We're gonna keep them in our prayers."
