Police Identify Suspect in Wilmington Hospital Shooting, Two Young Employees Injured
Authorities have arrested 23-year-old John Wallace-Bey in connection with a Tuesday shooting at Wilmington Hospital that left one employee dead and another critically injured.
Police said the suspect, 23-year-old John Wallace-Bey of New Castle, was taken into custody Tuesday night after investigators used license-plate readers to locate his vehicle in Philadelphia's Olney neighborhood. He faces murder and attempted murder charges and is awaiting extradition to Delaware.
The attack occurred around 3:30 p.m. at the Wilmington Hospital on West 14th Street, where Wallace-Bey, a hospital employee, allegedly opened fire on two coworkers, both 19-year-old men. One victim died; the other remains hospitalized in critical condition. Police have not released the victims' names.
Hospital staff and patients were instructed to shelter in place as SWAT teams secured the building. Witnesses described hearing gunshots and seeing a large police presence, including officers with rifles, while being directed to safe rooms.
"I think the first thing they are going to do is the why, right? So, they are gonna go to HR and say, 'Has there been any issues with this employee?'" said safety and security consultant Maureen Rush, a former public-safety official.
ChristianaCare, which operates the facility, said it was diverting patients from the emergency department and taking steps to protect patients, caregivers and visitors.