Former NFL player Phillip Adams, who reportedly shot dead a South Carolina doctor and four others before taking his own life, was a “good kid” who became “messed up” from his years of playing football, his heartbroken father said Thursday.
Alonzo Adams, the father of the ex-defensive back, said he wasn’t aware of his son ever being violent before he allegedly opened fire at a home in Rock Hill late Wednesday afternoon, news station WCNC reported.
“I can say he’s a good kid. I think the football messed him up,” Alonzo said of Phillip, 32, who played for the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets.
“I don’t think he ever did anybody any harm,” he added.
The athlete killed Dr. Robert Lesslie, 70, his wife, Barbara Lesslie, 69, and two of their grandchildren, 9-year-old Adah Lesslie and 5-year-old Noah Lesslie, a law enforcement source told the Associated Press.
Phillip Adams is suspected of killing five people in a South Carolina mass shooting. AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, FileA fifth victim, James Lewis, 38, who was working at the home at the time, was also fatally shot, while a sixth person was hospitalized with gunshot wounds, officials said.
A York County sheriff’s vehicle drives onto the property where multiple people, including a prominent doctor, were fatally shot. AP Photo/Nell RedmondNo motive has been released in the massacre, but Philip’s father said they knew the Lesslie family.
Adah Lesslie was one of five people killed in the shooting. Facebook“He used to be my doctor a long time ago. I know they were good folks down there. We’re gonna keep them in our prayers,” Alonzo told the outlet.
Dr. Robert Lesslie was killed in the mass shooting that also claimed his wife, grandchildren and another man. John D. Simmons/The Charlotte Observer via APPhilip had also been treated by the doctor, a source told the Associated Press.
Children Adah and Noah Lesslie were killed in the shooting. FacebookThe athlete, who was drafted in 2010, also had stints with the Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, according to his bio.
Adam Phillips tackles Eli Manning during an NFL game on Nov. 6, 2011. Charles Wenzelberg/New York PostDuring his NFL career, Philip had suffered multiple injuries, including concussions and a broken left ankle.
With Post wires
