Mass shooting ex-NFL player s brain probed for trauma-related harm
The brain of Phillip Adams â the former NFL player who killed a South Carolina physician, three family members and a repairman before fatally shooting himself â will be tested for a degenerative disease that has affected a number of pro athletes and has been shown to cause violent mood swings and other cognitive disorders, according to a news report.
York County Coroner Sabrina Gast told McClatchy Newspapers on Friday that she had gotten approval from Adams family for the procedure to be included as part of his autopsy, which will be performed at the Medical University of South Carolina. The hospital will be working with Boston University, whose chronic traumatic encephalopathy center conducts research on the long-term effects of repetitive brain trauma in athletes and military personnel, according to its website.
National News
Apr 9, 2021
ROCK HILL, S.C. (AP) Former NFL player Phillip Adams fatally shot five people, including a prominent doctor, his wife and their two grandchildren before killing himself early Thursday.
York County Sheriff Kevin Tolson told a news conference that investigators had not yet determined a motive for Wednesday’s mass shooting.
“There’s nothing right now that makes sense to any of us,” Tolson said.
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 coroner’s office said.
A man who had been working at the Lesslie home, James Lewis, 38, from Gaston, was found shot to death outside. A sixth victim, Robert Shook, 38, of Cherryville, North Carolina, was flown to a Charlotte hospital, where he was in critical condition “fighting hard for his life,” said a cousin, Heather Smith Thompson.
Phillip Adams said to have spurned NFL, union health programs
Former cornerback killed 5 people before killing himself By BARRY WILNER, AP Pro Football Writer
Published: April 9, 2021, 2:30pm
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2 Photos Former San Francisco 49ers cornerback Phillip Adams did not participate in the physical and mental health programs that are easily accessible for ex-players. He shot and killed five people before shooting himself to death early Thursday, April 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File) Photo Gallery
The NFL and its players’ union have an array of health programs designed to help players in their life after football. According to his agent, Phillip Adams did not avail himself of those opportunities.
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Test Approved On Brain Of Ex-NFL Player Who Killed Himself After S.C. Mass Shooting
The brain of Phillip Adams will be tested for a degenerative disease that has been shown to cause violent mood swings and other disorders.
Meg Kinnard and Michelle Liu
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) The brain of Phillip Adams the former NFL player who killed a South Carolina physician, three family members and a repairman before fatally shooting himself will be tested for a degenerative disease that has affected a number of pro athletes and has been shown to cause violent mood swings and other cognitive disorders, according to the local coroner.