Family of football player who killed six people is suing SC State University

ROCK HILL, SC (FOX Carolina) – The family of former NFL player Phillip Adams, who killed six people in 2021 before taking his own life, has filed a lawsuit against his alma mater.

After the Rock Hill massacre, doctors posthumously diagnosed Adams, who played college football at SC State University before turning pro, with stage 2 chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Brain disease is common in football players who have suffered repeated blows to the head.

The lawsuit says Adams suffered a head injury while playing for the SCSU Bulldogs from 2006-2009. The family claims the university did not properly treat Adams’ head injuries or educate him about the long-term health effects he could suffer.

Although CTE research is still in its early stages, the Alzheimer’s Association says it has been linked to personality changes, erratic behavior, aggression and suicide.

A spokesperson for SC State said the university does not comment on pending litigation.

Adams is survived by a son who, according to the suit, has suffered extreme and severe mental shock and suffering, extreme mental anguish, grief and sorrow, and lost the company of his father.

On April 7, 2021, Adams shot and killed Dr. Robert Lesslie and his wife, Barbara, at their home on Marshall Road, along with their grandchildren, 9-year-old Adah and 5-year-old Noah. He also killed two plumbers working there, James Lewis and Robert Shook.

Adams was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his home about a quarter of a mile down the road.

The motive for the shooting is still unknown.

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