The gunman who killed five people including a prominent doctor in South Carolina, has been identified as former NFL player Phillip Adams.
32-year-old Adams played for the San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks and New York Jets in a five year career that began in 2010. He was drafted in the seventh round in 2010 by the 49ers. He also suffered multiple injuries in the NFL, including concussions and a broken left ankle.
It was learnt that after after the shooting, Adams was found by police in a home near the shooting
site. After police surrounded the home, Adams is believed to have killed himself, law enforcement sources said.
The York County coroner’s office said Dr. Robert Lesslie, 70, and his wife, Barbara Lesslie, 69, were pronounced dead at the scene along with grandchildren Adah Lesslie, 9, and Noah Lesslie, 5.
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.
According to the reports, there was a prior connection between Adams and the victims. The football player’s parents live in the area and Phillip had reportedly been previously treated by Dr. Robert Lesslie.
Officials have however not said what the motive was for Adams to target Robert Lesslie and Lesslie’s wife, two grandchildren, and two maintenance workers who were at the house.
