Former NFL Pro Phillip Adams Is South Carolina Shooting Suspect; Killing 5 and Himself

Updated 8:55 a.m. (MT) on Friday, April 9: A WBTV interview with U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, who was close to Dr. Lesslie, Norman shared that Lesslie had stopped giving medications to Adams, which may have been the motive to the shootings. Adams' sports agent, Scott Casterline said, "He had to not be in his right mind, obviously. All of us who knew Phillip are shaking our heads." 

NEW: @RepRalphNorman tells me his understanding is that Dr. Robert Lesslie was treating Phillip Adams and had stopped giving Adams medication - he says he was told that triggered the killings - Norman says he was told this by law enforcement. @WBTV_News pic.twitter.com/5u7TzOY3iP

— Alex Giles WBTV (@AlexGilesNews) April 8, 2021

Fox News reports former NFL Pro Phillip Adams (39) was found dead outside the residence of a prominent doctor in a Rock Hill, South Carolina neighborhood, and suspected of killing five others before killing himself. The victims included Dr. Robert Lesslie (70), his wife Barbara Lesslie (69), and their two grandchildren: Adah and Noah Lesslie (5 and 9), who was pronounced dead at the scene. James Lewis (38) was working at the home and found shot to death outside of the residence. Another victim was hospitalized with "serious gunshot wounds," said the York County Sheriff's Office.

The AP reports that the York County deputies searched for hours for the suspect on Wednesday when they received a call around 4:45 p.m. They later found the suspect at a nearby home. An anonymous source said that Phillips killed himself with a .45 caliber weapon just after midnight, and his parents live in the neighborhood. He had been treated by Dr. Lesslie at one point. 

Adams' NFL cornerback career included six seasons, most recently with the Atlanta Falcons (2015), San Francisco 49ers (2010), and New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, Oakland Raiders, and New York Jets. His career was littered with multiple injuries. 

This article will be updated as new information is released.