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Armed Doctor Shoots Hospital Gunman

A psychiatrist used his own weapon to stop a shooter Thursday at Mercy-Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby, Delaware County.
By Alison Smith July 24, 2014 at 6:57 pm 28
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A gunman who had shot two people, killing one, at a Delaware County hospital was stopped Thursday afternoon when his own doctor shot him.

A female case worker was killed by psychiatric patient at Mercy-Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby, Delaware County, Thursday afternoon, NBC10 reported.

The doctor, a psychiatrist, then used his own weapon to stop the shooter, NBC said.

The gunman has been identified as Richard Plotts, 53, The Philadelphia Inquirer said. Plotts was shot multiple times, in the torso and the arm.

Plotts was taken to the trauma center at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where NBC said he was listed in critical condition Thursday night.

The doctor -- whom multiple sources have identified to the Inquirer as psychiatrist Lee Silverman, 52 -- also was shot by the suspect; a bullet grazed his head. Authorities have not officially identified him, NBC said.

The case worker has not been identified by authorities, pending the notification of her family.

Plotts arrived at the Sister Marie Lenahan Wellness Center on the hospital campus Thursday afternoon with the case worker, NBC said. The shootout in a third-floor office began around 2:20 p.m., the Inquirer said.

After Plotts had been shot, other hospital employees wrestled him to the ground.

The hospital campus was under lockdown for several hours Thursday afternoon.

Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan told the Inquirer that he didn't know whether hospital staff were permitted to carry weapons.

It was unclear Thursday evening whether the doctor was licensed to carry, or whether the hospital has metal detectors.

The gun Plotts used to shoot the doctor and caseworker was apparently his own, NBC said.