Ex-NFL star Philip Adams shoots dead five including prominent doctor and his grandchildren

A gunman who killed five people including a five-year-old child and a prominent doctor in South Carolina was former NFL player Phillip Adams, who killed himself yesterday, according to a source .

Adams’ parents live near the doctor’s home in Rock Hill, and he had been treated by the doctor, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Phillips killed himself afterwards with a .45-calibre weapon.

The York County Sheriff’s Office said they had searched for hours before finding the suspect in a nearby home.

Adams played as a defensive back for multiple teams including the San Francisco 49ers and the Atlanta Falcons after starring at South Carolina State. He also suffered multiple injuries in the NFL, including concussions and a broken left ankle.

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 time at the home, James Lewis (38), from Gaston, was found shot dead outside and a sixth person was hospitalised with “serious gunshot wounds”, York County Sheriff’s Office’s spokesperson Trent Faris said.

Mr Faris said deputies were called at around 4.45pm on Wednesday to the Lesslies’ home, 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,” Mr Faris said.

The investigation is ongoing, he said.

“Dr Lesslie was my doctor growing up,” Mr Faris said.

“Dr Lesslie has been one of those people that everybody knows.

“He started Riverview Medical Centre in Rock Hill and it’s been a staple in Rock Hill for years.”

A biography page of Dr Lesslie said he and his wife of 35 years raised four children.

He had been practising 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 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Rock Hill is a city about 40km southwest of Charlotte.

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