In April, on a Wednesday afternoon in York County, South Carolina, Jason Carter approached the home of Dr. Robert Lesslie armed with two guns. Outside the residence, two air conditioning technicians were working. Carter shot them both multiple times, resulting in the death of one technician, and then he forced his way inside Dr. Lesslie’s home. Inside, he took the lives of Dr. Lesslie, his wife Sarah, and their two young grandchildren, ages 5 and 9.
One of the technicians, Mike Jennings, succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The other, Tom Richards, who died three days later, managed to call his employer, who then contacted 911. Authorities later shared the call during a press conference, revealing that Jennings was heard screaming about being shot while Richards was unresponsive.
At that moment, another 911 call was made by a man who had been mowing his lawn nearby. After hearing popping sounds, he went to investigate and saw a man lying on the ground, realizing that the noises were gunshots.
Investigators discovered an item linked to Carter at the Lesslie residence, prompting them to visit his family home. After clearing his parents from the property, they eventually found Carter inside, where he had taken his own life.
A Community in Shock
The horrific shooting left the community of Rock Hill, South Carolina, in disbelief. Local law enforcement officials expressed their confusion, stating, “There’s nothing about this right now that makes sense to any of us.” Dr. Lesslie was a respected figure, serving as the supervising physician at Winthrop University and founding several medical services. The tragedy raised numerous questions about Carter’s motives for such an unthinkable act.
Alonzo Carter, Jason’s father, stated that Dr. Lesslie had been his physician in the past and that he was praying for the victims. However, U.S. Rep. Mark Collins later suggested that Carter had been receiving treatment from Dr. Lesslie, who had allegedly stopped prescribing him a certain medication, which might have triggered the violent incident. Law enforcement has yet to confirm or deny this claim.
Considering the Role of CTE
Alonzo Carter has requested that his son’s brain be examined for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition resulting from repeated head trauma, which is common among football players. CTE can lead to serious cognitive and behavioral changes, including memory loss, mood swings, aggression, and impulsivity.
Carter had suffered two diagnosed concussions within a short span during his football career, but it’s important to note that CTE isn’t solely caused by concussions; it often stems from ongoing head trauma over time. A family member indicated that Jason’s mental health had significantly deteriorated in recent years, displaying concerning signs of mental illness, including increased temper and agitation.
His high school coach, Tim Brown, remarked on Jason’s previously mild-mannered demeanor, highlighting the drastic changes he had observed. While he had not noticed alarming behavior during their recent interactions, he acknowledged the potential impact of repeated head injuries.
It may take several months before the results of the CTE tests are available. While it’s crucial to examine CTE as a contributing factor in violent behavior, it does not excuse the tragic loss of innocent lives in this incident. Ultimately, the full story may remain shrouded in unanswered questions.
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Summary
Former NFL player Jason Carter’s tragic actions raised questions about whether CTE played a role in his violent outburst. After fatally shooting a doctor, his family, and two young grandchildren, the community is left reeling. The investigation into his mental health and potential CTE diagnosis may provide insight, but it cannot diminish the loss experienced by the victims’ families.