McKee believes repetitive blows to the head, even low-impact injuries, caused Adams to develop the brain disease. She said his "mental health degraded fast and terribly bad" and described how normal conversations would quickly turn hostile. Authorities said 24-year-old Brendon Robert Meyers was taken into custody in Ellis County, Kansas for his involvement in the death of Winston Salem resident Harterius Massey who was found shot in a driveway near 300 Rich Street on Feb. 19. Beth Langley, an organizer for the event, did not respond to a request for comment. When Adams was buried at Grandview Memorial Park-Hollis Lakes April 16, the customary, temporary name marker was not left by his grave site. She said authorities repeatedly asked the gunman to come out, and promised to get his disabled mother out safely, before the gunman shot himself. [3][4] Five of the shooting victims died, while a sixth is hospitalized in critical condition[5] with serious gunshot wounds. Neighbors described the family as having a strong Christian background, and the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church inRock Hill confirmed the family attended services. / CBS/AP. Many of the individuals who were diagnosed with CTE in life they had what we call emotional lability, which is basically like a short fuse or flying off the handle quickly," said Dr. Dan Daneshvar with Harvard Medical Schoo, "These were often significant personality changes from what the individual and their loved ones previously recorded.. However, a donation by his family could lead to future medical advances. McKee said Stage 2 CTE is associated with aggression, impulsivity, depression, paranoia, anxiety, poor executive function and memory loss. 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. More than a dozen news vehicles and TV trucks lined the side of Marshall Road outside Adamshome. Its devastating for the victims and the families.". "I know without a doubt that life is fragile," Lesslie wrote, according to an excerpt. 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. The gunman often isolated himself, even as a player, his agent, Scott Casterline, told the AP. Lesslieand his wife had four children and eight grandchildren, according to a website bio. . 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 1 min read. At Thursdays news conference, Tolson played audio of two 911 calls, the first from an HVAC company that employed Lewis and Shook. I cant put it all together and Im trying to, Hope said. Updated: Apr 9, 2021 / 08:34 AM EDT. Shook also told deputies there were more victims in the residence, and they found the four Lesslie family members dead in the workout room inside. This is in addition to the $100 million that the NFL and its partners are already spending on medical and neuroscience research. 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. In the York County Sheriff's Office jurisdiction, which includes the neighborhood where the Adams lived and the shootings took place, there were seven shooting deaths in 2020 and there already have been seven shooting deaths in 2021, according to the sheriff's office. They just may need to say, You need to go talk to somebody, Wisher said. Youre crazy. And theyll come take away your guns.. 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. Lewis and Shook were at the Lesslie home to do HVAC work. 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. This is so unlike him. He just keeps saying, I've been shot, I've been shot. He worked in emergency rooms for decades, including as medical director of the emergency department at Rock Hill General Hospital for almost 15 years, according to thebio. It should no longer be swept under the rug, Phyllis Adams said. 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.". Meyers was tracked to Kansas with help from the U.S. They say the truth will set you free. I tried to get him to come to Texas. Adams played football for most of his life, including six years in the NFL. ", "Both men involved in this incident are long-standing, beloved members of our family at GSM. York County Sheriff Kevin Tolson reads a statement from the victims' families during a press conference on Thursday, April 8, 2021, in York, S.C., where he addressed the mass shooting by former NFL football player Phillip Adams. Eventually, they found him dead of a gunshot wound to the head. In the twelve months that have passed since that day, the families of the victims have struggled to cope with the loss. (Video: Reuters) Comment. As a rookie late in the 2010 season, the gunman suffered a severe ankle injury that required surgery that included several screws being inserted into the leg. I cant fathom it. I know without a doubt that life is fragile, Lesslie wrote in one of those books, Angels in the ER., I am convinced we need to take the time to say the things we deeply feel to the people we deeply care about., A statement from the Lesslie family said they were in the midst of the unimaginable but felt assured by faith that their hearts are bent toward forgiveness and peace.. Deputies say this retelling of events was relayed to them by Shook as he lay injured outside. A study published in 2017 showed out of 111 NFL players whose brains were donated for CTE testing, 110 were found to have had the disease. Contact Indira Eskieva atieskieva@wcnc.comand follow her onFacebook,TwitterandInstagram. 6 [nb 1] Injured. Police say Adams shot and killed Robert Lesslie, 70, his wife Barbara Lesslie, 69, and two of their grandchildren, Adah, 9, and Noah, 5, as well as two HVAC workers, James Lewis, 38, and Robert Shook, 38 on April 7 in Rock Hill. "He didn't drink not one bit of alcohol," Smith 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. Posted: Apr 8, 2021 / 12:37 PM EDT. You got yahoos out there that are crazy,"said Ramseur, who during the funeral April 16 found herself pulled in by Reverend Browns refrain. Updated: 10:41 PM EST December 14, 2021 ROCK HILL, S.C . Phillip Adams. "Dr. Lesslie was a pillar in this community with what he's been able to give back," he said. "I have come to understand that humility may be the greatest virtue. Adams brain will be tested for signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE),whichis believed to cause mood swings and changes in temperament. 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. Shook told deputies Adams exited the woods wearing a black hoodie and camouflage pants, opening fire and then leaving the way he came. 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. cornerback, went to the Rock Hill, S.C., home of a prominent doctor and shot everybody he saw before . "Theres really not an hour that goes by.". The Lesslie family were longtime members of the First ARP Church in Rock Hill. When he ended his professional career in 2015 with the Atlanta Falcons he had several documented injuries. It's a few houses down from the Lesslies' home, which sits on a heavily wooded property surrounded by a black fence. We definitely did notice signs of mental illness that was extremely concerning, that was not like we had ever seen. 0. The sheriff said, "Dr. Lesslie was a pillar in this community.". A 911 caller reported finding a man on the ground early Tuesday on a street in Rock Hill. Dr. Robert Lesslie was a prominent doctor in Rock Hill. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasnt authorized to speak publicly. Adams killed himself with a self-inflicted gunshot wound after shooting to death six people April 7 less than a mile away from his house. Myers faces charges of murder, possession of a weapon during a crime of violence and criminal conspiracy. 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. Updated December 14, 2021 10:56 AM. Casterline said he spoke regularly with Adams father, who left him a voicemail Wednesday morning. Scott estimated that only 20%of former players are approved for disability benefits. 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. 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. He said authorities contacted Adams'family and found he lived nearby. Lesslie practiced in the area since 1981. Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. The Associated Press contributed to this report. This tragedy is still new, still fresh, so were going tocontinue to take it day by day and mourn the losses and hug on each other and love on each other as best we can.. This is where they encounter initial gunshot wound victims outside of the home. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. When police searched Dr. Lesslies office, they found no evidence Phillip Adams was his patient. Local Here's what we know about the mass shooting in Rock Hill April 08, 2021 2:12 PM . He felt like they were just trying to nickel and dime him. Hollywood writers go on strike over fair pay in streaming era, Missing teens likely among 7 people found dead in Oklahoma, authorities say, Fish contaminated with "forever chemicals" found in nearly every state, Gordon Lightfoot, "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" singer, dies at 84, CBS News Poll: How GOP primary race could be Trump v. Trump fatigue, Oklahoma governor signs gender-affirming care ban for kids, American climber dies on Mount Everest, expedition organizer says, Bob Lee died from three stab wounds, medical examiner says, At least 6 dead after dust storm causes massive pile-up on Illinois highway, Ex-NFL player kills 5 people, then himself, in South Carolina. ROCK HILL, S.C. (FOX 46 CHARLOTTE) . ", RELATED: Deputies provide timeline of events for Rock Hill shooting. He was taken to a hospital where he is in critical condition. In the minutes, days, and months since, our family has remained fixed on the eternal hope we have in Christ. I mean, he could have walked in the house with a hammer and killed everybody,"Wisher said. Barbara and Robert Lesslie sang in the choir. Updated: 12:16 AM EDT April 11, 2021. ROCK HILL, S.C. (AP) The man charged with killing someone in South Carolina this week had wounded the same victim in a shootout at a North Carolina mall earlier this year, investigators said. The new details highlight how Adams attacked, what he was wearing, and how deputies knew where to start looking. He was struggling with his mental health., The rally against gun violence in Rock Hill will focus in part on the mental health aspect in recent shootings in the city, said Dr. Norma Gray, president of the NAACP chapter in Rock Hill. We now know that these deficits were most likely caused by the disease. ROCK HILL, S.C. (FOX 46 CHARLOTTE) A second man wanted for murder in connection to a February homicide in Rock Hill was arrested in Kansas Tuesday, according to the Rock Hill Police Department. Andrew Dys, The Herald (Rock Hill, S.C.) 9/17/2021. 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.. 4:44 p.m.: The first sign anything was wrong was with a call for service from Marshal Road, where the shooting unfolded at the Lesslie family's property. The physician also penned a number of collections of what he termed inspiring true stories from his work. She said that of 24 former NFL players who died in their 20s and 30s, most of them had Stage 2 CTE. What happens next for those trying to curb gun violence as the mass killings continue? "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.". 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. The elder Lewis said his life changed drastically since that day; his health has deteriorated and he suffers from insomnia. Adams' sister,Lauren Adams, told USA TODAY in an interview that her brother'sbehavior shifted abruptly a couple of years ago and he exhibited mental health issues. "He didn't talk much and he didn't bother nobody.". Call 911. Case studies such as those compiled in this updated paper are important to further advancing the science and progress related to head trauma. Dr. Robert Lesslie, 70, and his wife, Barbara, 69, were pronounced dead in their home in Rock Hill along with grandchildren Adah Lesslie, 9, and Noah Lesslie, 5, the York County coroners office said. In a statement Friday afternoon, the company said they feeling "guarded" about Shook's fluctuating condition. 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. 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. 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. From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Rock Hill, the location of the shooting, pictured in 2018, Not including the shooter, who killed himself a day later at a different location, "AP source: NFL player Phillip Adams killed 5, then himself", "Former 49ers player Phillip Adams kills 5, then himself, sheriff says", "South Carolina mass shooting: Former NFL pro killed 5, then himself, sources say", "NFL pro Phillip Adams kills five, then himself", "Rock Hill doctor, wife, grandchildren, worker killed in York County mass shooting", "Father of York County mass shooting suspect says son killed 5 others, then himself", "Ex-NFL player reported as gunman who killed renowned doctor and grandchildren", https://simple.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2021_Rock_Hill_shooting&oldid=8791075, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. mass-shooting in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Police charged 24-year-old Jarod Nelson with murder on Feb. 24 for his involvement in the crime. They don't have the staff to do it, he said. 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. One of the men, the caller said, had called him screaming and saying that he had been shot, and that his coworker was shot and unresponsive.. Hefounded two urgent care centers in the area and was an author and columnist. Among the victims were a 9-year-old girl and her 5-year-old brother, and Ramseur said she feared retaliation during the funeral in part because Adams is Black and all of the victims were white. And when he does sleep, he dreams of his son, who was his best friend. Rock Hill is about 26 miles south of Charlotte, North Carolina. Moments later, a vehicle pulled into the Adams driveway and law enforcement quickly surrounded the property. 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. "We have seen this behavior. The first took place in January 1961, when nine Black college students were arrested and sentenced to hard labor for sitting at a whites-only lunch counter. Both children attended the First ARP Church in Rock Hill along with their parents and grandparents. The sheriff said authorities don't have any indication the weapons were obtained illegally. 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. Thursday marks a year since police say former NFL player Phillip Adams killed six people at a home on Marshall Road in Rock Hill before taking his own life. ", The NFL said in a statement, "Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the victims of these devastating tragedies.". Sunday 11 April 2021 15:50. "His 20-year career put him at high risk for development of CTE," McKee, who conducted the study on Adams' brain, said. 0:59. Lesslie worked for decades as an emergency room doctor, 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. "It is impossible to imagine the grief that the extended Lesslie family must be feeling," he said. In the twelve months that have passed since that day, Rock Hill community honors those killed in mass shooting, Family issues statement 1 year after shooting killed 6 people at Rock Hill home, Phillip Adams went to the Lesslie home and killed six people, Deputies provide timeline of events for Rock Hill shooting, found he suffered from a severe case of a brain disease, Ex-NFL player who killed 6 in Rock Hill had 'severe' CTE, doctor says, Could a head injury in sports lead to CTE? , "He wasn't a monster. I can't put it all together and I'm trying to, and I witnessed it," Hope said. 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. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The timeline begins with the initial 911 call and ends with deputies confirming the suspect, 32-year-old Phillip Adams, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Robert Shook, an air conditioning technician, initially . Lewis and the surviving victim -- who was in critical condition following the shooting -- were air conditioning techs with the company GSM Services and were found shot beside their work vans, York County Sheriff Kevin Tolsonsaid. They evacuated the neighbors as they spent hours searching for a suspect with police dogs. He started Riverview Medical Center in Rock Hill and it's been a staple in Rock Hill for years.". SUBSCRIBE:Apple Podcasts||Spotify||Stitcher||TuneIn||Google Podcasts. Adams was found dead inside his home from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. April 11, 2021 at 10:27 a.m. EDT. Its an understatement to say that theres not a day that goes by that I dont think about him," Lewis said. (Independent) Alonzo Adams, the father of former NFL player Phillip Adams, said his son shot six people, killing five, before killing himself in Rock Hill, South Carolina. "It's a progressive disease that worsens with age. In his house, everything was precisely placed.". Between 9:30-10:30 p.m., April 7:Phillip Adams' home is cleared by YCSO. [3] [4] Five of the shooting victims died, while a sixth is hospitalized in critical condition [5] with serious gunshot wounds. By participating in the research process, we hope to bring awareness to this condition so that players young and old can understand the risks. Police say Adams took his own life as officers were closing in on him. James Lewis, 38, was found dead outside. FROM APRIL 2021: Rock Hill community honors those killed in mass shooting 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. 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. 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. 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. "I feel bad for him because if it was mental or something going on in his life or whatever, you know, he needed help, and that's the sad part.". He was a good father," Casterline said. The people that they dedicate to the benefits are spread very thin. He was a good father.". 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. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. 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.. Phillip Adams, 32, who playedcornerback for teams including the San Francisco 49ers andNew England Patriots, was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his family's home, down the street from the massacre inRock Hill a city of about 75,000 that sits near the northern border of South Carolina, the York County Sheriff's Office said. 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. 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. But thats a slippery slope. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. There's just no question that the study of Phillip Adams' brain and then talking to his relatives and friends about what he was like during life was enormously helpful to our research," McKee said. I can say hes a good kid, Alonzo Adams told WCNC-TV. This is something I cant grasp yet. Updated April 16, 2021 4:55 PM. "Through the decades, they made such an incredible impact on our area and the lives of countless people," Norman said in a statement. [4], On April 8, 2021, the York County Sheriff's Office said in a press conference that the suspect was Adams. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Deputies were called around 4:45 p.m. Wednesday to the Lesslies' home, which is not visible from the road. 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. Gray, president of the NAACP chapter in Rock Hill, said Its impossible to ignore the racial element of the killings. He had to not be in his right mind, obviously," Casterline said. ROCK HILL, S.C.Authorities searched for clues Thursday in the nation's latest shooting spree after police say a former NFL player gunned down five people, including a beloved doctor and his two young grandchildren, before killing himself in a quiet neighborhood. Both worked for GSM Services in York County. 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. Two weapons were recovered: a 9mm handgun and a .45-caliber handgun. . Tolson said both a .45-caliber and 9mm weapon were used in Wednesdays shooting. That's what I really think we need to address: all the people who have fallen through the cracks and are in desperate need of help," McKee said. Updated December 14, 2021 10:56 AM. He struggled away from the game. Indeed, more than two weeks since the shootings, questions that have been asked over and over around the country are lingeringin Rock Hill. If youre thinking of altering your workout routine, youre probably looking for new exercises and equipment to help you reach your fitness goals. York County Sheriff Kevin Tolson told a news conference that investigators had not yet determined a motive for Wednesday's mass shooting. The church opened its doors on Thursday for a day of prayer. 2021 Rock Hill shooting Q106421390) All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. 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.
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