Five dead, including two children, in mass shooting in South Carolina

Five people – including a doctor, his wife and two grandchildren – were killed in a mass shooting at a South Carolina home that ended early Thursday with a suspect in custody, authorities said.

Gunfire at a house in Rock Hill broke out at approximately 4:45 p.m. Wednesday and killed Dr. Robert Lesslie, 70, his wife Barbara Lesslie, 69, two of their grandchildren, 9-year-old Adah Lesslie, and the 5- year old Noah Lesslie, according to the York County Sheriff’s Office

A fifth victim, James Lewis, 38, who was working from home at the time, was also fatally shot. A sixth person, who was not immediately identified, was hospitalized with a serious gunshot wound, authorities said.

Investigators said they identified a suspect in the mass shooting and detained him after finding him in a nearby house.

“There is no active threat to the community,” sheriff officials tweeted early Thursday

The suspect, who was not immediately identified, was taken into custody about eight hours later, the state reported.

Police have arrested a suspect in the murders of Robert Lesslie, Barbara Leslie and 3 others.
Police have arrested a suspect in the murders of Robert Lesslie, Barbara Leslie and three others.

Robert Lesslie had practiced medicine in Rock Hill since 1981, according to his biography on Riverview House Calls & Riverview Hospice and Palliative Care, where he worked as a medical director. He is survived by four children. He and Barbara Lesslie had been married for over 40 years, The State reported.

A spokesman for the York County Sheriff’s Office told the paper it is unclear what connection the suspect had with the Lesslie family, if any.

“We are all shocked that this can happen here in York County,” said spokesman Trent Farris. ‘This is a mass shooting. Normally you think of a movie theater or a shopping center, but we treat this as a mass shooting because five victims were killed. “

Faris noted how prominent Lesslie had been in the Rock Hill community.

“He was my doctor, if that says enough,” Faris told The State.

Dr.  Robert Lesslie had practiced medicine in the city of South Carolina since 1981.
Dr. Robert Lesslie had practiced medicine in the city of South Carolina since 1981.

Sheriff officers tweeted Wednesday they were looking for a “young black man” who wore a hoodie and camouflage pants after the six victims were found.

Faris declined to identify the alleged shooter or to provide information about his condition at a press conference that ended after 1am on Thursday, the state reported.

Lesslie’s family asks for privacy while they mourn, Faris said.

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