(WTXF-TV/FOX29) DARBY, Pa. – We are following breaking news in Darby, Pa. where one female employee is dead and two are wounded in a shooting at the Wellness Center on the Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital campus.
The shooting happened on Thursday in a 3rd floor Psychiatric office in the Mercy Wellness Center, which is across the street from Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital on the 1500 block of Lansdowne Avenue.
At a 6 p.m. press conference, Delaware County DA Jack Whelan identified Richard Plotts of Upper Darby as the suspect. Whelan says Plotts, who was a patient, arrived at the Wellness Center shortly after 2 p.m. with his case worker.
Plotts along with his case worker went into the doctor’s office. A worker confirms he heard loud arguing at the time and walked into the office where he saw the suspect pointing a gun at the doctor. The worker did not notice the case worker in the office when he opened the door. According to Whelan, the worker quietly closed the door and called 9-1-1.
Police believe there was a gunfire exchange between the doctor and suspect. According to Whelan, two guns were retrieved from the scene. The suspect did have psychiatric issues and was a patient, according Whelan. Whelan also says various employees wrestled suspect to the ground.
Whelan confirmed the female case worker is dead and the doctor has a graze wound to the head. The doctor is expected to be treated and released from HUP. The doctor and case worker’s name has not been released.
Whelan confirms the suspect also suffered three gunshot wounds to the torso area and is in critical condition at HUP. He is undergoing surgery at this time.
Delaware County DA Jack Whelan says the scene is secured. Police say they went floor by floor to make sure patients and staff were safe. Whelan says the building is safe at this time. The hospital is on divert at this time and the Mercy Wellness Center is currently closed.
Police continue to investigate. The motive remains unclear.