"I have come to understand that humility may be the greatest virtue. 2:37 a.m., April 8: Adams is confirmed dead inside his home. "He was part of my family. There are people who are responsible, but when guns get in the hands of irresponsible people or people with mental illness or people who are out to get revenge on something, thats where the dynamics and direction goes into a negative feel.. On April 7, 2021, six people, including two children, were shot at a house in Rock Hill, South Carolina, United States. Adams father told a Charlotte television station that he blamed football for problems that may have led his son to commit Wednesdays violence. Tolson said officers found the two repairmen in the yard of the home. I can say hes a good kid, Alonzo Adams told WCNC-TV. Lesslie's2008 book, "Angels in the ER," told the stories of ER patients and staff, and for seven years, hewrote a weekly medical column for the Charlotte Observer. 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. ROCK HILL, S.C. Rev. While we know there are no answers that will satisfy the question why, we are sure of one thing:We do not grieve as those without hope. He played in the NFL six years, most recently with the Atlanta Falcons, until the 2015 season. Rock Hill mourns the homicide of prominent doctor, Dr. Robert Lesslie and his family. At least 51 involved domestic or juvenile victims. Lesslie founded two urgent care centers and had traveled the country giving lectures to an emergency nurses group, his website said. The suspect is former NFL player Phillip Adams. A prominent local doctor, his wife and their two young grandchildren were among those killed Wednesday in a shooting at their home in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The NFL is committed to supporting scientific research into CTE and advancing progress in the prevention and treatment of head injuries. He also wrote a book, "Angels in the ER," collecting what he termed "inspiring true stories" from his time in the emergency department. McKee believes repetitive blows to the head, even low-impact injuries, caused Adams to develop the brain disease. She said authorities spent hours negotiating with Adams, using a loudspeaker and sending in a robot to scan the house. We have even seen homicidal behavior in individuals diagnosed with CTE. In the twelve months that have passed since that day, the families of the victims have struggled to cope with the loss. 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. Please enter valid email address to continue. Two weapons were recovered: a 9mm handgun and a .45-caliber handgun. 1 min read. The direction in Rock Hill and nationally remains unclear. Jeff is the son of Robert and Barbara Lesslie. McKee went on to say that Boston University has diagnosed CTE in 700 individuals, including 315 former NFL players. This is where they encounter initial gunshot wound victims outside of the home. ", The NFL said in a statement, "Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the victims of these devastating tragedies.". On the same day Adams fatally shot his victims, the South Carolina House passed a measure that would allow handguns to be openly carried without a permit. "It is in fact, not what I would consider unusual in this disease.". Scott said Adams told him that he was having trouble obtainingmedical records from some of the six teams he played for during his six-year career. 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. Updated April 16, 2021 4:55 PM. Tolson said there was no indication the gunman, Phillip Adams, had a doctor-patient relationship with Robert Lesslie. I can't fathom it. The incident was the latest mass shooting to rock the nation in recent weeks, including 10people slain in Boulder, Colorado,eight in the Atlanta area and four in Orange, California. Robert Lesslie was a well-known doctor in Rock Hill, ABC Charlotte affiliate WSOC reported. 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. A person briefed on the investigation told The Associated Press earlier Thursday that Adams had been treated by Lesslie, who lived near his parents home. Its devastating for the victims and the families.". He said he continued to use guns when he joined the Army in 1974 and was part of an artillery unit during his four years of duty, spent primarily on border patrol in Germany. Kinnard reported from Columbia, S.C. He liked to laugh, he loved good jokes, he loved pranks, he loved to fish," Lewis said. 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. She said authorities repeatedly asked the gunman to come out, and promised to get his disabled mother out safely, before the gunman shot himself. RELATED: Could a head injury in sports lead to CTE? ROCK HILL, S.C. Robert Shook, the sixth victim in the deadly shooting at the Rock Hill home of a prominent ER doctor, has died due to his injuries . Some teams wrote him off and he had that stigma of a guy who was hurt, Casterline said. I was going to find him a job, but he wouldn't leave South Carolina because he had a son. 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. Example video title will go here for this video. Left to Right Brendon Meyers, Jarod Nelson (courtesy of the Rock Hill Police Department). 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.. November 25, 2021. At Thursdays news conference, Tolson played audio of two 911 calls, the first from an HVAC company that employed Lewis and Shook. The elder Lewis said his life changed drastically since that day; his health has deteriorated and he suffers from insomnia. Faris said Lesslie was very well known in the Rock Hill community. Adams was arrested in 2016 in North Carolina and charged with carrying a concealed weapon, a misdemeanor. Moments later, a vehicle pulled into their driveway and law enforcement quickly surrounded the property. Barbara and Robert Lesslie sang in the choir. "We did not hear any gunshots," Tolson said. 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. Related stories from Charlotte Observer. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. He was a good father.". Eventually, they found him dead in a bedroom, Tolson said. I can't put it all together and I'm trying to, and I witnessed it," Hope said. 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. As the York County community mourned, Rock Hill and the shooting attracted headlines around the country. A thick wooden cross stood prominently in the front yard of the Lesslie home on Marshall Road on Thursday afternoon. Timeline of events in tragic Rock Hill shooting | wcnc.com 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. Wisher, the gun store owner in Rock Hill, said families must accept some responsibility for keeping guns out of the hands of relatives with mental health problems especially if the mental health issues are not readily visible. "No parent should outlive their child.". Both children attended the First ARP Church in Rock Hill along with their parents and grandparents. As noted by the authors, there are still many unanswered questions relating to the cause, incidence and prevalence of long-term effects of head trauma such as CTE. He struggled away from the game. The losseswe are suffering cannot be uttered at this time. Robert and Barbara Lesslie in a photo posted to Robert Lesslie's website. Updated: Apr 9, 2021 / 08:34 AM EDT. Adams' parents were evacuated from the home as police surrounded the house and attempted to have him surrender. 4:52 p.m.: YCSO units arrive on the scene at the Lesslie family's property. Tolson said evidence at the scene led authorities to Adams as a suspect. What happens next for in acommunity that has struggled with race relations? "To that end, our hearts are bent towardforgiveness and peace. Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP. San Francisco 49ers cornerback Phillip Adams (35) sits on the sideline during the first quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco October 17, 2010. 9:04. . South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman said Robert and Barbara Lesslie were his close friends. Adams family said he was experiencing psychiatric distress they think was linked to head trauma resulting from football. "In the coming days, our focus is on helping these families and our team members cope with this tragedy. Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. 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. Rock Hill shooting: Deputies share 911 calls neighbours made during attack "We are working hard to provide some answers.". In his house, everything was precisely placed.". Ill free fine when the truth comes out.". ROCK HILL, S.C. Authorities on Friday are working to determine a possible motive after Wednesday's shooting spree when police say former NFL player Phillip Adams gunned down five people . The arrest of juveniles in Rock Hill shooting incidents is the third since July, police and court records show. Massey had been shot multiple times in his upper body and was taken to the hospital where he died. 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. Perpetrator. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Download the Queen City News Charlotte app, Man dies after being shot multiple times in Rock Hill, police say, Le Creuset just launched a dreamy new color for spring, Our fitness expert weighs in on this years top spring, Little Sugar Creek now connects NoDa to Pineville, Canadian folk singer Gordon Lightfoot dies at 84, Fix it now. Over 300 AA employees strike, VIDEO: Black bear surprises principal at school dumpster, Cornelius seeks exceptional projects for development, Bride killed in golf cart crash, driver faces DUI, US tracking balloon spotted off coast of Hawaii, Palestinian prisoner dies in Israel after long hunger, Serbia, Kosovo leaders in EU-backed talks to normalize, King Charles III makes space for faith at his coronation, Campaigners call for fossil fuel deadline, more climate, Challenger in Turkey presidential race offers sharp, Kishida plans to visit Yoon in South Korea before, Russia missile attack on Ukraine injures 34, damages, May Day: Worlds workers rally, France sees pension, Ukraine war looms over Switzerland UN presidency, DMV adjusts appointments, walk-in availability, New college program for teens exiting foster care, Store clerk faces charges in intoxicated mans death, 7 bodies found in search for two missing OK teens, Small Charlotte-area airport boost for PGA event, CLT auto repair owner violated Clean Air Act: DOJ, Meck Co. retirees dependents given insurance extension, Top elected leader says hell consider retiree concerns, Woman charged with DUI in deadly golf cart crash, Meck Co. retirees dont have the benefits they thought, BestReviews.com - Top gifts to make everyone happy this spring, Surprise your mom with one of these Mothers Day, Mothers Day inspo: This foot massager has 20,000, Drew Barrymores Walmart collection is perfect for, Best Mothers Day gifts for the budding plant mom, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Patrick Wisher, owner of the Sportsman Inc gun store and firing range in Rock Hill, said the guns are getting unnecessary blame for the tragedy. He wrote a weekly medical column for The Charlotte Observer and became a prolific author, writing several volumes with advice on how to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and lose weight. 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. Five people are dead, including a doctor and two of his grandchildren, following a shooting at a home in Rock Hill, South Carolina, . "Dr. Lesslie was a pillar in this community with what he's been able to give back," he said. "I know without a doubt that life is fragile," Lesslie wrote, according to an excerpt. Adams mother said she wants the public to know about that, along with the danger of concussions. It's a few houses down from the Lesslies' home, which sits on a heavily wooded property surrounded by a black fence. If we dont dialogue and talk about it, well never be able to fix it.. She said Adams' 20-year football career undoubtedly contributed to CTE. The wounded co-worker, Robert Shook had apparently called them about the shooting, prompting them to directly reach out to dispatch in York County. He's a great kid, a great guy. On April 7, 2021, six people, including two children, were shot at a house in Rock Hill, South Carolina, United States. Phillip Adams, a former National Football League player, was named as the suspect. Suspect in mass shooting that killed 5 in South Carolina played in NFL SUBSCRIBE:Apple Podcasts||Spotify||Stitcher||TuneIn||Google Podcasts. SC mass shooting: 5 killed, NFL Phillip Adams kills himself - The State The gunman often isolated himself, even as a player, his agent, Scott Casterline, told the AP. Phillip Adams shot to death six people in Rock Hill, South Carolina on April 7, . Check out these great suggestions. 2021 / 12:37 PM EDT. 2021 Rock Hill shooting - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia All of us who knew Philip are shaking our heads. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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. "He was a bit of a neat freak. York County Sheriff Kevin Tolson told a news conference that investigators had not yet determined a motive for Wednesdays mass shooting. He is being held until he is extricated back to Rock Hill. Please call 911the man told a 911 operator. He says the medical community has known about the disease since the 1920s, but it started receiving more attention in the last decade when doctors started finding it in football players. We will continue to advocate for any research that can prevent any other families from having to endure this type of tragedy We want people to understand that this could happen to anyone. He spent many years working in emergency rooms in the Charlotte area, according to his website biography. Kirk, a well-known Black pastor in Rock Hill, said he initially was asked to lead the prayer during a vigil for the victims, including Dr. Robert Lesslie, his wife and their two young grandchildren. So that was the thought behind the snack shack" Associate Pastor Jon Oliphant explained. 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. 2021 Rock Hill shooting Q106421390) What we know about the mass shooting in York County, South Carolina - CNN Dr. McKee is the director of the center and said CTE is caused by repetitive blows to the head. "We did try to negotiate and get him out of the room that he was in.". James Lewis, 38, was found dead outside. McKee said researchers are closer than ever to find a way to detect CTE in the living but there is still more to be done. Rock Hill mass shooting. He treated patients at Riverview Family Medicine & Urgent Care. In 2017, Scott said, he communicated with Adams five or six times in an attempt to help him get benefits. The family released a statement through the sheriff's office describing their grief andhope and calling for prayers for all involved, including the suspect's family. Looking for something special to get your mom for Mothers Day? Jackson declined to address the Adams killings but said, The solution is we need to have responsible gun owners and gun carriers. ", The family said, "If you would like to do something for the family, Adah and Noah would want you to stock the free pantries and libraries in your community. Policeworked Thursday to determine a motive but haven't been able to make sense of the violence, Tolson said. The people that they dedicate to the benefits are spread very thin. This page was last edited on 8 August 2022, at 15:13. 4:59 p.m.: South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) helicopter requested. Weve got a long way to go in our community in a lot of different ways, Mayor John Gettys told USA TODAY Sports. Warrants reveal new findings in Rock Hill shooting investigation | wcnc.com A supplementary report says the investigation led them to determine Adams was the suspect, and they moved to his home down the road. Both he and Casterline emphasized Adams didnt drink or do drugs. Police say Adams took his own life as officers were closing in on him. 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. It would be impossible for the disability office, as it's structured now, to reach players who are in need of help rather than waiting for those players to ask for help, according to Scott. A suspect was found in the York County mass shooting the night of April 7, 2021 that left five people dead, according to authorities. All were dead,Tolson said. Casterline said he spoke regularly with Adams father, who left him a voicemail Wednesday morning. Updated: 5:05 PM EDT April 23, 2021. Ex-NFL player who killed 6 in Rock Hill had 'severe' CTE, doctor says He and Casterline both said the gunman had opened a shop selling smoothies and juice before COVID-19 hit and emphasized he didn't drink or do drugs. "Mr. Adams' CTE pathology was different than the other young NFL players with CTE," McKee said. Lesslie had worked for decades as an emergency room doctor in Rock Hill, board-certified in both emergency medicine and occupational medicine and serving as emergency department medical director for nearly 15 years at Rock Hill General Hospital, according to his website. The sixth victim of a shooting in Rock Hill, South Carolina, earlier this week has died, the York County coroner announced Saturday. What Led Phillip Adams, Former N.F.L. Player, to a Shooting Spree York County shootings: Sixth victim in mass shooting dies - CNN The shooting happened just before 5 p.m. on Marshall Road. However, a donation by his family could lead to future medical advances. He said the process can require players to travel out of state to see doctors and the benefit rules change often. Jeff Lesslie, who lost his parents and his two children, said this in a statement shared with WCNC Charlotte: "It has been a year since our community came face to face with the unbelievable. Former professional football player Phillip Adams fatally shot five people in Rock Hill, S.C., police said on April 8. When he ended his professional career in 2015 with the Atlanta Falcons he had several documented injuries. Rock Hill, the location of the shooting, pictured in 2018, https://www.heraldonline.com/news/local/crime/article250506054.html, https://apnews.com/article/phillip-adams-kills-5-then-himself-south-carolina-aaf71f2618f139ab3781592634c8e37c, https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?title=Q106421390&oldid=1699415425, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. James Lewis, a single father of three kids in Gastonia, was one of the five people killed in a mass shooting at a Rock Hill home Wednesday evening, his family confirms. I didnt think it was right.. Updated: 12:16 AM EDT April 11, 2021. Tolson saidauthorities do not have any information that would suggest the weapons were obtained illegally. ", "Both men involved in this incident are long-standing, beloved members of our family at GSM. As far as I know it is, Tom Ayres, the organizations finance officer, told USA TODAY Sports. They just may need to say, You need to go talk to somebody, Wisher said. Wake Up Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with the team atWake Up Charlotte. Rock Hill shooting: Robert Shook dies | wcnc.com "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.". "There's nothing right now that makes sense to any of us," Tolson told reporters. We found that playing additional years of football was associated with a higher risk of an individual getting CTE, to the tune of every additional year of football, regardless of level of play, and regardless of position play, in that study, we found was associated with a 30% increased risk of CTE," said Daneshvar. Moments later, a vehicle pulled into the Adams driveway and law enforcement quickly surrounded the property. Deputies say this retelling of events was relayed to them by Shook as he lay injured outside. 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. 2021 Rock Hill shooting - Wikipedia James Lewis, who was killed at the shooting at the Lesslie home in South Carolina, is shown in an undated family photo. 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. 0:59. This is something I cant grasp yet. As an adult, Phillip Adams began collecting guns and using them, according to his father, who said he occasionally went to a shooting range with his son. McKee compared Adams' CTE pathology to that of former NFL player Aaron Hernandez, who was diagnosed with CTE after his death in 2017. I loved him. Whether he suffered long-lasting concussion-related injuries wasnt immediately clear. RELATED: Shooting suspect Phillip Adams played 6 NFL seasons. His mental health degraded fast and terribly bad, Lauren Adams told USA TODAY Sports of Phillip Adams, a cornerback who played in the NFL between 2010 and 2015. I mean, he could have walked in the house with a hammer and killed everybody,"Wisher said. ROCK HILL, S.C. (FOX 46 CHARLOTTE) . An autopsy and toxicology report on Adams is slated to take place soon. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Phillip Adams was the youngest of three siblings, and Alonzo Adams said he brought a shotgun when he took them fishing to a nearby pond to kill the water moccasins. Im not going to get into all that (symptoms). In the days after his death, it turned into a memorial with people leaving flowers and notes in honor of a doctor who was well known and well-loved. She said they repeatedly asked Adams to come outand promised to get his disabled mother out safely. ROCK HILL, S.C. New warrants released Friday reveal what York County deputies found as they investigated the deadly shooting in Rock Hill earlier in April . "Through the decades, they made such an incredible impact on our area and the lives of countless people," Norman said in a statement. Philip Adams: South Carolina community mourns family and worker - CNN The 38-year-old dedicated his life to his parents, his children, and the woman he planned to marry. Phillip Adams, South Carolina shooting: Police search for motive Phillip Adams. He said authorities contacted Adams'family and found he lived nearby. "Gun violence in this country is an epidemic, and it's an international embarrassment," Mr. Biden said. Later, with the Raiders, he had two concussions over three games in 2012. The physician also penned a number of collections of what he termed inspiring true stories from his work. "He didn't drink not one bit of alcohol," Smith said. But before the event, Kirk said, a representative for the Lesslie family told him he no longer would be needed at the event. (Video: Reuters) Comment. . Lewis shares his pain with the Lesslie and the Shook families. Sixth person dies following Rock Hill mass shooting "It is impossible to imagine the grief that the extended Lesslie family must be feeling," he said. Adams father, Alonzo, said guns are part of the familys culture. It has helped to guide us deeper into fellowship with one another in love. The victims were identified as Dr. Robert Lesslie, 70; his wife, Barbara Lesslie, 69; their grandchildren, 9-year-old Adah Lesslie and 5-year-old Noah Lesslie; and James Lewis, 39, who was working at the home at the time he was shot, authorities said. "It's one of those strange things that a lot of people are going to have a hard time understanding.". Former NFL player kills 6 people, then himself, in South Carolina (AP Photo/Nell Redmond), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Adams will be tested for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, commonly known as CTE, a degenerative brain disease found in those with a history of repetitive brain trauma, according to the York County Coroner's Office.