Former New England Patriots Player Kills 5 People And Shoots Himself

SUNDAY, JANUARY 23RD, 2022

By Jerry Filmore Jr. –

Early Wednesday night, at about 4:45 p.m. sheriff’s deputies from the York County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported shooting in the 4400 block of Marshall Road in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Upon arrival deputies found both 70-year-old Dr. Robert Lesslie and his wife, 69-year-old Barbara Lesslie, shot and killed. Their grandchildren, 9-year-old Adah Lesslie and 5-year-old Noah Lesslie, were also shot and killed.

Sheriff’s deputies identified a fifth person who was shot and killed as James Lewis, a 38-year-old, who was working at the home at the time.

A sixth person who was shot was taken to an area hospital to be treated for their injuries and was in critical condition.

On Thursday, the York County Sheriff’s Office had identified and confirmed that the suspected shooter was former NFL cornerback, Phillip Adams, who last played in 2015 for the Atlanta Falcons but also had stints with the New England Patriots, Seahawks, 49ers, Raiders and Jets during his six-year career in the NFL.

Adams is believed to have killed himself as cops surrounded the residence. Coroner Sabrina Gast said Phillip Adams’ cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

The York County Sheriff’s Office said during a press conference Phillip Adams “forced entry” into the Lesslies’ home. The York County Sheriff’s Office also said that Phillip Adams used two weapons — one .45-caliber and one 9 mm — for the shooting.

Alonzo Adams, the father of Phillip Adams said that his son was a good kid who didn’t talk much and never bothered anybody. Alonzo Adams also said that he believed football played a role in his son’s actions.

Phillip Adams was originally from Rock Hill and before playing in the NFL, he attended South Carolina State University.

In 2011, Adams played in six games with the New England Patriots.