Last Updated on April 8, 2021
Former NFL player Phillip Adams has been identified as the mass shooter who killed five people in South Carolina, including a prominent doctor and two children ages five and 9.
Local media reports that the shooting took place at a Rock Hill, South Carolina home, where police found the bodies of Dr. Robert Lesslie, 70, and his wife, Barbara Lesslie, 69, dead, along with their grandchildren Adah and Noah Lesslie, who were 5 and 9.
Rock Hill police have identified the victims as Dr. Robert Lesslie, 70, and his wife, Barbara Lesslie, 69. The couple was found inside of their home. Another man who was working at the home, James Lewis, was found dead outside, and police say a sixth person was hospitalized with serious gunshot wounds.
However, police have yet to release the name of the suspected shooter, prompting an anonymous source to speak to the media instead.
According to Count On 2 News, “The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak publicly, said Adams’ parents live near the doctor’s home in Rock Hill, and that he had been treated by the doctor. The source said [Adams] killed himself after midnight with a .45 caliber weapon.” Police reportedly “searched for hours” before finding Phillips dead in his home.
Red Voice Media reported, “An anonymous source stated that Adams’ family lived near the Leslies and that Adams had been treated by the doctor in the past.” No motive has been released for the mass shooting.
In a news report, another media outlet acknowledged that Adams, who played for the San Francisco 49ers, the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Atlanta Falcons, had an existing relationship with the slain doctor.
Police have scheduled a press conference for Thursday morning to reveal more details related to the mass shooting.