ROCK HILL, SC – 5 persons ended up killed in a mass shooting Wednesday evening, like a popular York County medical doctor, his spouse, two of their grandchildren and an HVAC technician from Gastonia.
The York County coroner’s office explained Dr. Robert Lesslie (70) and his spouse Barbara Lesslie (69) were being declared lifeless at the scene together with their grandchildren Adah Lesslie (9) and Noah Lesslie (5).
“He was my best pal”
I am chatting to Tom Lewis, the father of the Gastonia technician, who was killed in a mass shooting in a property outside Rock Hill. James Lewis was there doing work on the air conditioning when a gunman killed the household at house and Lewis and then significantly hurt Lewis’ personnel pic.twitter.com/NkleSRPA7R
– Ken (@ kenlemonWSOC9) April 8, 2021
A fifth sufferer, James Lewis, 38, from Gastonia, was located useless in front of the home. Authorities explained he was operating for Lesslie when he was shot.
A sixth sufferer, Robert Shook, 38, of Cherryville, North Carolina, was flown to a Charlotte hospital exactly where he was in crucial condition and “fought difficult for his lifetime,” reported a cousin, Heather Smith Thompson.
On Thursday morning, Channel 9 reporter Ken Lemon confirmed that Lewis and Shook were being operating at Gaston Sheet Metallic Expert services in Gastonia.
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When Channel 9 frequented GSM Expert services on Thursday morning, a notice was posted on the front door informing consumers that the retail store was shut.
The workforce was explained to have been broken by the taking pictures and explained the two guys as “beloved members of our family members at GSM”.
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GASTON SHEET Steel Providers Assertion:
“As you can envision, our staff at GSM Services was damaged from what transpired previous evening in York, SC. The two of the guys involved in this incident have been very long-time beloved members of our spouse and children at GSM. These men embody the values we intention to achieve at GSM and are loved ones-oriented, thrilled and great workforce members who care for all of the individuals they have encountered. In the times in advance, our focus will be on assisting these family members and our crew customers offer with this tragedy.
We might like to thank the Legislation Enforcement and Crisis Administration employees for becoming as helpful with their conversation, empathy and professionalism as we did yesterday and right away. We would also like to thank our community for supporting our group and these family members. Our community has assisted us construct this business as a result of all of our fantastic moments, and we are blessed to know that guidance proceeds by way of bad instances.
Make sure you keep our people in your thoughts and prayers in the coming times. “
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Channel 9 realized that James Lewis and Shook were being functioning as HVAC experts when filming was getting put.
Lewis died from his injuries. Shook survived and identified as her employer, who immediately named 911.
“We are a heating and air conditioning business and my two specialists are there. Anyone just called me. He can not communicate. He yells, “I was shot. I was shot. ‘And I requested him the place the other 1 is and he said, “He’s lying there and doesn’t respond” and he was shot much too, “you heard your employer say on the emergency contact.
Reporter Ken Lemon spoke to Lewis’ mothers and fathers Thursday morning, who stated he was their only boy or girl and that he was a solitary father of three.
Tom Lewis and Linda Tucker claimed their son went to college to grow to be an HVAC technician and make a far better residing for his small children. They claimed they won’t be able to consider he was killed executing the job he cherished and creating a dwelling for the household he adored.
“I maintain anticipating to wake up, ‘Oh, it was just a undesirable dream,’ but it is just not. It can be genuine, ”said Tom Lewis. “I would like to find out why this person did what he did. At times I would have a good deal extra than that. “
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“He served every person, he was a type man, a fantastic father. It can be just so silly, ”said Tucker.
She claimed the hardest issue she ever experienced to do was explain to her grandchildren that their father was dead.
Shook spouse and children users mentioned the upcoming 24 hrs are essential and that he has experienced surgical procedures due to the fact late Thursday early morning. They explained he also has a few young children and can phone his employer, who referred to as 911 just after the shootings.
