South Carolina shooting kills 5, including two children

4 out of 10 Americans have a gun 2:42

(CNN) -

At least five people were killed Wednesday in what authorities call a "mass shooting case" at a home in York County, South Carolina.

Among the victims of the shooting near Rock Hill are a doctor, his wife and their two grandchildren, the York County Sheriff's Office said in a tweet.

The family was "very prominent and well known" in the county, said York County Sheriff's spokesman Trent Faris.

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Police were called to the scene following reports of a shooting at 4:45 pm.

“Dr. Robert Lesslie and his wife, Barbara Lesslie were found in the home and died as a result of gunshot wounds, as well as their 2 grandchildren.

James Lewis, of Gastonia, was working on the house and died of gunshot wounds, "said the sheriff's office.

The grandchildren were between the ages of 5 and 9, according to the York County Coroner's Office.

The doctor practiced in the area since 1981

During the press conference after the shooting, Faris said that he has lived in the area his entire life and that "Dr. Lesslie was my doctor growing up."

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“Dr. Lesslie has been one of those people that everyone knows.

He founded Riverview Medical Center in Rock Hill and has been a Rock Hill staple for years, ”Faris said.

In addition to the five people who died, another person was taken to hospital with "serious gunshot wounds," said Faris, who described the incident as a mass shooting.

"This is a very tragic, tragic situation and the family asks that they respect their privacy at this time," said Faris.

Lesslie was the founder of Riverview House Calls & Riverview Hospice and Palliative Care and had been practicing in Rock Hill since 1981, according to his website.

On a personal page, Lesslie wrote that he and his wife had been married for 40 years, raised four children, and had nine grandchildren.

"In my spare time, I enjoy writing, playing golf, hunting, growing fruit and hops, and playing bagpipes," says the biographical page.

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There is a suspect

Regarding the suspect, Faris said: "We have found the person we believe is responsible and we are with her at this time."

"That is all I can say about that suspect," added the spokesman.

When asked if the suspect was a neighbor, Faris said: "He lives on the same road."

A tweet from the sheriff's office says authorities found the suspect "in a nearby house."

"There is no active threat to the community," the sheriff's office said.

"Detectives are still in the area serving a search warrant and investigating this tragic event."

South Carolina