Pa. doctor shoots patient who killed caseworker

Michael Winter, USA TODAY6:36 p.m. EDT July 24, 2014


(Photo: AP)

A psychiatric outpatient opened fired Thursday inside a hospital building near Philadelphia, killing his caseworker and slightly wounding a doctor who reportedly shot the gunman with his personal firearm, authorities said.

The suspect was reported in critical condition after the shooting at 2:20 p.m. in an office at the Mercy Wellness Center of Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan said at a news conference.

The unidentified 52-year-old doctor, a psychiatrist, shot the suspect three times on the third-floor psychiatric unit and suffered a graze wound when the suspect returned fire, Whelan said. Two guns were recovered.

Another caseworker and a doctor tacked the gunman in a hallway after the shooting inside an office.

"We're not exactly sure what had occurred and what might have precipitated this particular incident," Whelan said.

The gunman was a patient with a history of psychiatric problems, he added.

"We do know the psychiatric connection, we have that concern," he said. "However, we don't know if there was another dispute that occurred inside that room that led to these shots being fired."

The identity of the slain caseworker was not released, pending notification of her family.

The wellness center was evacuated and the campus locked down briefly as SWAT officers checked to be sure there was not another gunman.

It's not clear whether the hospital or clinic has metal detectors. The two are connected by a pedestrian bridge.

A sign tells visitors to the wellness center to check weapons at the front, a medical technician toldThe Philadelphia Inquirer.

Hospital spokeswoman Bernice Ho was not available to answer questions Thursday evening.

"This is a tragic event for our hospital and for our community, and we are praying for the safety of the victims," the hospital said in a statement. "We are grateful for the efforts of the emergency responders, and we are working with the Delaware County Police Departments to understand fully the details of the event and to do all we can to assist those affected."

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...nter/13113555/