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. Tolson said officers found the two repairmen in the yard of the home. Phillip Adams, South Carolina shooting: Police search for motive Warrants show ex-NFL player Adams mass shooting Rock Hill SC | Rock He spent many years working in emergency rooms in the Charlotte area, according to his website biography. 2021, 10:55 AM. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. He treated everyone with respect.". Phillip Adams news: Latest Rock Hill mass shooting updates as Robert And it would have been a lot more brutal that way.''. And towards the end he felt like they were trying to basically stiff him on money, she said. 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.. RELATED: Shooting suspect Phillip Adams played 6 NFL seasons. Posted: Apr 8, 2021 / 12:37 PM EDT. 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.". 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. Cowboys cornerback Kevin Smith, who trained Adams, said the former NFL player had opened a shop selling smoothies before COVID-19 hit. Rock Hill is about 26 miles south of Charlotte, North Carolina. "I know he had been applying for disability and he said they were making it hard for him. The suspect, 32-year-old Phillip Adams, was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound at a nearby home, the York County Sheriff's Office said. 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. "In the coming days, our focus is on helping these families and our team members cope with this tragedy. One of two 9-1-1 dispatch calls released by the office indicate someone from Lewis' employer GSM Services in Gastonia, North Carolina placed the call. Adams was found dead inside his home from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. 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. All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. Updated April 16, 2021 4:55 PM. Police searching the Lesslies home, which is up a driveway from an arched stone gateand not visible from the road, found the doctor, his wife and their two grandchildren together in a room at the back of the house. 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. November 25, 2021. "All of us who knew Phillip are shaking our heads. Unfortunately, right now CTE can only be diagnosed after death. Scott estimated that only 20%of former players are approved for disability benefits. She said they repeatedly asked Adams to come outand promised to get his disabled mother out safely. Its an understatement to say that theres not a day that goes by that I dont think about him," Lewis said. A man who had been working at the home, James Lewis, 38, from Gaston, was found shot to death outside. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. "He was a longtime doctor who treated me in the past. Weve got a long way to go in our community in a lot of different ways, Mayor John Gettys told USA TODAY Sports. Left to Right Brendon Meyers, Jarod Nelson (courtesy of the Rock Hill Police Department). Neighbors described the family as having a strong Christian background, and the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church inRock Hill confirmed the family attended services. This is something I cant grasp yet. Police charged 24-year-old Jarod Nelson with murder on Feb. 24 for his involvement in the crime. And when he does sleep, he dreams of his son, who was his best friend. Latest NFL Draft mock drafts, news, live picks, grades and analysis, Phillip Adams' family says ex-NFL player was struggling after playing career, Justin Bannan says head trauma from football is to blame, Adams behavior shifted dramatically, said his sister, Lauren, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. But before the event, Kirk said, a representative for the Lesslie family told him he no longer would be needed at the event. 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. This is in addition to the $100 million that the NFL and its partners are already spending on medical and neuroscience research. Ill free fine when the truth comes out.". 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. We have even seen homicidal behavior in individuals diagnosed with CTE. She said that of 24 former NFL players who died in their 20s and 30s, most of them had Stage 2 CTE. Social media reacts to mass killing in Rock HIll, SC | Charlotte Observer By participating in the research process, we hope to bring awareness to this condition so that players young and old can understand the risks. Adams spent six seasons in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, Oakland Raiders, New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons, before his career ended in 2015. 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. Deputies say this retelling of events was relayed to them by Shook as he lay injured outside. Lewis and Shook were at the Lesslie home to do HVAC work. ", The NFL said in a statement, "Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the victims of these devastating tragedies.". The church opened its doors on Thursday for a day of prayer. He vacated an apartment there before he returned to his parents home in recent weeks, and detectives foundfirearms and a gun safe left behind at the residence, according to the search warrant. Please enter valid email address to continue. Casterline said he spoke regularly with the gunman's father, who left him a voicemail Wednesday morning. The victims were Dr. Robert Lesslie, his wife, Barbara Lesslie, their two grandchildren -- Adah, 9, and Noah, 5 -- as well as James Lewis and Robert Shook. 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. 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. He said they went to Adams parents home, evacuated them and then tried to talk Adams out of the house. On Thursday, Thomas Lewis said GSM Services, where Robert Shook and James Lewis worked, held a ceremony to remember the two men. York County shootings: Sixth victim in mass shooting dies - CNN Moments later, a vehicle pulled into the Adams driveway and law enforcement quickly surrounded the property. 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. Editor's note: The above section on additional details came during the April 16 update. (Video: Reuters) Comment. "In 2016, the NFL pledged $100 million in support for independent medical research and engineering advancements in neuroscience-related topics. Dr. Carlton Brown stood behind the casket. I was going to find him a job, but he wouldnt leave South Carolina because he had a son. "I know without a doubt that life is fragile," Lesslie wrote, according to an excerpt. Check out these great suggestions. Adams parents said their son was not racist and the family has lived in an integrated pocket of the city. So that was the thought behind the snack shack" Associate Pastor Jon Oliphant explained. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. She said Adams had a severe case of it. It was the second time this year the House has voted to expand gun rights. By Andrew Dys and. On April 7, 2021, six people, including two children, were shot at a house in Rock Hill, South Carolina, United States. Former Cowboys cornerback Kevin Smith, who trained the gunman leading up to the 2010 draft and after he entered the league, said he was a hard worker. Phillip Adams shot 6 people on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 killing Dr. Robert Lesslie, . 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. But detectives found nine guns at the home of Adams parents where Adams killed himself, according to records released by the York County Sheriffs Office. Adams would not have been eligible for testing as part of a broad settlement between the league and former players over such injuries, because he hadnt retired by 2014. Updated on: April 8, 2021 / 7:00 PM During a news briefing on Thursday, April 8, the York County Sheriff's Office provided a timeline of eventsfrom Wednesday afternoon through early the next morning. 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. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. You got yahoos out there that are crazy,"said Ramseur, who during the funeral April 16 found herself pulled in by Reverend Browns refrain. 14-year-old charged with attempted murder in Rock Hill shooting - MSN Phillip Adams, a former National Football League player, was named as the perpetrator. In the minutes, days, and months since, our family has remained fixed on the eternal hope we have in Christ. ABC News' Rachel Katz, Alexandra Faul, Meredith Deliso and Alondra Valle contributed to this report. Sunday 11 April 2021 15:50. When police searched Dr. Lesslies office, they found no evidence Phillip Adams was his patient. cornerback, went to the Rock Hill, S.C., home of a prominent doctor and shot everybody he saw before . It should no longer be swept under the rug, Phyllis Adams said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Myers faces charges of murder, possession of a weapon during a crime of violence and criminal conspiracy. I think the football messed him up.. It's a few houses down from the Lesslies' home, which sits on a heavily wooded property surrounded by a black fence. He's a great kid, a great guy. Then on Wednesday, for reasons no one yet knows for sure, Phillip Adams, a former N.F.L. An autopsy and toxicology report on Adams is slated to take place soon. Deputies were called around 4:45 p.m. Wednesday to the Lesslies home, and evacuated the neighbors as they searched for hours for a suspect. SC mass shooting: 5 killed, NFL Phillip Adams kills himself - The State James Lewis, who was killed at the shooting at the Lesslie home in South Carolina, is shown in an undated family photo. Indeed, more than two weeks since the shootings, questions that have been asked over and over around the country are lingeringin Rock Hill. Over the past two years, Adams behavior shifted dramatically, said his sister, LaurenAdams. A thick wooden cross stood prominently in the front yard of the Lesslie home on Marshall Road on Thursday afternoon. Right now, the disease can only be diagnosed after death, when doctors use a sample of brain tissue to study the brain. As the York County community mourned, Rock Hill and the shooting attracted headlines around the country.