Delaware Hospital Employee Sought After Shooting Two Colleagues

A dramatic search is in progress in Delaware as authorities hunt for a hospital worker who opened fire on two colleagues before fleeing.

The Wilmington police department responded to a shooting incident at ChristianaCare’s Wilmington Hospital around 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, following distress calls from the location.

Details from scanner audio, as reported by NBC Philadelphia, reveal that a dispatcher announced two individuals had been shot within the hospital. One victim was reportedly hit in the neck and the other in the upper body, although these specifics are yet to be officially confirmed by police.

Additionally, internal communications to hospital staff indicated that the shooting occurred in the building’s basement, targeting two employees.

The scene quickly became a hub of intense activity as officers in tactical gear, alongside paramedics, firefighters, Delaware State Police, and federal agents, converged on the hospital. Employees were seen evacuating the premises with their hands raised, while numerous emergency vehicles encircled the area.

Authorities were then able to find the two shooting victims inside the building shortly after 5pm, but their conditions remain unclear.

Police believe the shooting was work-related, but information may change as the investigation continues, according to ABC News. 

The alleged shooter, whose identity is known to police, may have been a temporary employee of ChristianaCare’s Wilmington Hospital, sources told the outlet.

Police rushed to the scene of Wilmington Hospital after an employee opened fire on two others

Law enforcement personnel clad in tactical gear were seen staging outside Wilmington Hospital

Federal agents arrived on the scene of the shooting Tuesday evening

An employee inside the hospital told NBC Philadelphia how he fled the emergency room after hearing two gunshots, which he described as sounding ‘almost like firefighters.’

‘There’s still people in there that can’t get out because they got them on lockdown… they’re probably terrified,’ the employee lamented, noting: ‘This is supposed to be a place for people to feel safe.’

Kathleen Decker, a former patient at the hospital, also said she was leaving the hospital to catch a shuttle back to Newark, New Jersey when she saw police run in.

‘So it was pretty evident that something was happening,’ she recounted. ‘And then all the police cars, ambulances came up here and I thought “Oh, it’s a shooter.”‘ 

Officers were then seen going floor-to-floor searching for the gunman, as other heavily-armed officers decked out in camouflage entered an adjacent parking garage designated for employee parking, Delaware Online reports. 

In a statement, ChristianaCare said it was ‘aware of a shooting incident that occurred at our Wilmington Hospital campus. The campus is currently on lockdown, and the emergency department is on divert.

‘We are working closely with law enforcement and taking all appropriate steps to ensure the safety of our patients, caregivers and visitors,’ the healthcare group said, noting it is an ‘active police investigation for a possible active shooter.’

Wilmington police said they were called to the scene of ChristianaCare’s Wilmington Hospital at around 3.30pm on Tuesday for reports of a shooting 

The public is asked to avoid the area, where paramedics, police officers, firefighters and the Delaware State police gathered

‘At this time, we are actively gathering information and will provide updates as soon as more details are confirmed.

‘Our priority remains the safety and well-being of everyone on our campus and the continuity of care for our patients,’ the healthcare group added.

The shooting came just moments after about 20 people took part in an active shooter course on the bottom floor of the hospital, Delaware Online reports.

Those that participated described how the instructor became serious after receiving a phone call, and then told everyone they needed to leave the building.

In a statement posted online, Congresswoman Sarah McBride said she is ‘praying for the patients and providers who were on site.’

US Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester also said she had been briefed on the shooting and is ‘praying for our community.’

Emergency vehicles circled the hospital on Tuesday evening

She added that she is ‘grateful for the swift and ongoing law enforcement response.’ 

Meanwhile, US Senator Chris Coons said he was also ‘monitoring’ the situation.

‘I’m praying for everyone’s safety, including patients, health care workers, first responders, and law enforcement officers,’ he posted online, urging the public to ‘please continue to follow updates from local officials.’

As the investigation now continues, the public is asked to avoid the area. 

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.