Phillip Adams news - live: Motive a mystery in Rock Hill mass shooting as Robert Lesslie’s final blog shared

Latest updates on South Carolina shooting

Phillip Adams #28 of the Oakland Raiders looks into the crowd during the first half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on 8 December 2013 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Getty Images)

A gunman who shot dead five people in Rock Hill, South Carolina on Thursday before taking his own life has been identified by the York County Sheriff’s Department as former NFL player Phillip Adams.

“Once the investigation began, we were able to develop Phillip Adams as a suspect in this incident,” said Kevin Tolson, the York County sheriff.

The investigation was still ongoing about the motive behind the shooting on Wednesday, but Mr Tolson was able to reveal two 911 calls from the incident and further detail the standoff between police and Mr Adams after the shooting. Mr Tolson said that the former NFL player was found dead in his parents’ home with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Among the five people killed in the shooting were two children, and prominent local doctor Dr Robert Lesslie.

The other victims of the shooting have been named as Dr Lesslie’s wife Barbara Lesslie, 69, and the couple’s grandchildren, nine-year-old Adah Lesslie, and five-year-old Noah Lesslie. The fifth victim was named as James Lewis, 38, while a sixth person was shot and has been hospitalised, AP reported.

Mr Lewis and the sixth person, whose identity was not yet revealed, were at the Lesslie household on Wednesday to do work on the home, the Mr Tolson said.

Alonzo Adams, the former NFL player’s father, confirmed to a local publication on Thursday that his son shot dead five people before taking his own life. “I think the football messed him up,” he said.

The father also revealed that he was a previous patient of Dr Lesslie. His home, which was where his son was found dead, was nearby to the Lesslie household, which was the location of the shooting.

Key Points

• Police confirm gunman as Phillip Adams
• Five victims in mass shooting identified by police
• Investigators to hold press conference
• Ex-NFL reported as suspected gunman

[8 April 2021 22:13 · Danielle Zoellner]

Joe Biden signs several gun reform executive orders less than 24 hours after shooting

President Joe Biden signed six executive orders on Thursday that would address gun violence in the United States.

One action orders the Justice Department to issue a rule within 30 days to stop the proliferation of so-called “ghost guns” created with “buy, build, shoot” kits. The Justice Department was also required to draft “red flag” legislation for states within the next 60 days.

The signing of these executive orders was planned prior to the shooting that took place in Rock Hill, South Carolina, on Wednesday. But Mr Biden did acknowledge the shooting during his speech on Thursday.

Gun reform activists have called for changes to gun legislation following the shootings that took place in Boulder, Colorado, and Atlanta, Georgia, in March.

More details about Mr Biden’s executive orders can be found here.

[8 April 2021 22:32 · Danielle Zoellner]