Former NFL defensive back, Philip Adams, who played for the 49ers, Patriots, Seahawks, Raiders, Jets, and Falcons, shot and killed five people on Wednesday and then also killed himself. One of his victims was Robert Lesslie, a 70 year-old doctor who had treated Philip.
Who were the victims of Philip Adams?
Dr. Robert Lesslie and his wife, Barbara, 69, were pronounced dead in their home in Rock Hill Wednesday along with grandchildren Adah Lesslie, 9, and Noah Lesslie, 5, the York County coroner’s office said.
A man who had been working at the home, James Lewis, 38, from Gaston, was found shot to death outside, and a sixth person was hospitalized with “serious gunshot wounds,” York County Sheriff’s Office’s spokesperson Trent Faris said.
The shootings occurred in Rock Hill, South Carolina, where Dr. Lesslie had been practicing medicine since 1981. Later, after midnight, Adams killed himself with a .45 caliber handgun.
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.
Why did Philip Adams commit this crime?
As of now, no reason for this crime has been discovered by the police. York County Sheriff’s Office’s spokesperson Trent Faris says that the investigation is still ongoing, and they are looking for answers.
Faris said that they had searched for hours before finding the suspect in a nearby home. He said deputies were called around 4:45 p.m. Wednesday to the Lesslies’ home in the Rock Hill area, and spent hours searching for the suspect before finding him in a nearby home.
“We have found the person we believe is responsible and we are with him at this time and that’s all I can say about the suspect,” Faris said.
Who was Robert Lesslie?
A biography page of Dr. Lesslie said he and his wife of 35 years raised four children. He had been practicing medicine in Rock Hill since 1981, according to the Riverview website. He received his degree at the Medical University of South Carolina and has worked in the surrounding Rock Hill area and Charlotte, North Carolina.
“For more than 25 years, I worked in and directed several of the busiest ERs in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. I have also served as medical director of the emergency department for almost fifteen years at Piedmont Medical Center. There, I taught and certified the hospital staff in basic and advanced life support.”, Lesslie’s blog said.
“Dr. Lesslie was my doctor growing up,” Faris said. “Dr. Lesslie has been one of those people that everybody knows. He started Riverview Medical Center in Rock Hill and it’s been a staple in Rock Hill for years.”
Philip Adams was a Rock Hill native who played college football at South Carolina State. He appeared in 78 total NFL regular-season games.
