Authorities are trying to find out why a psychiatric outpatient fatally shot a female caseworker and wounded a psychiatrist Thursday afternoon before the doctor returned fire and critically injured the suspected gunman in a suburban Philadelphia hospital, the Associated Press reported. The suspect, Richard Plotts, of Upper Darby, Pa., was confirmed to be in critical condition after the shooting at 2:20 p.m. in a psychiatric office at the Mercy Wellness Center of Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby.
The psychiatrist, Dr. Lee Silverman, shot Plotts three times with his personal firearm and was grazed in the temple when the suspect returned fire, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan said at an evening news conference. "We do believe that there were some issues between the doctor and the patient, but whether or not he actually feared him is unclear," Whelan said.
Plotts, who has a history of unspecified psychiatric problems, and his 53-year-old caseworker, Theresa Hunt, arrived at the doctor's third-floor office about 2 p.m. for an appointment with Silverman, Whalen said. "When the caseworker was shot, (Silverman) crouched down behind the desk to avoid him being shot," Whelan said. "He was able to reach for his weapon, and realizing it was a life or death situation, was able to engage the defendant in the exchange of gunfire."
As the struggle spilled out into the hallway, another doctor and caseworker tackled Plotts and held him until police arrived, USA Today reported. "We're not exactly sure what had occurred and what might have precipitated this particular incident," Whelan said. "We do know the psychiatric connection, we have that concern. However, we don't know if there was another dispute that occurred inside that room that led to these shots being fired."
Although the motive for the shooting remained unclear, the patient might have had issues with the doctor over his treatment plan. It is not known, however, if that is why Silverman was armed. But Yeadon Police Chief Donald Molineux said that "without a doubt, I believe the doctor saved lives," New York Daily News reported. "Without that firearm, this guy (the patient) could have went out in the hallway and just walked down the offices until he ran out of ammunition," the chief said.
A spokeswoman for the Mercy Health System, however, stated that the hospital has a policy barring anyone except on-duty law enforcement officers from carrying weapons on its campus. "As this is an ongoing investigation, we remain focused on 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," said the spokeswoman, Bernice Ho.
While Silverman, 52, was recuperating at home Friday, Plotts, described to be in his mid-30s, remained in critical condition at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania after being shot in the arm and torso.
As officers combed through the crime scene Friday, the wellness center remained locked down but the main hospital has been reopened, Whelan said. "The scene is secure. Everyone is safe."
