Police in Delaware have launched a manhunt after a hospital worker allegedly shot two colleagues and then escaped.
Wilmington officers said they responded to ChristianaCare’s Wilmington Hospital at about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday following reports of gunfire.
Scanner traffic obtained by NBC Philadelphia indicated that two people were shot inside the hospital — one reportedly struck in the neck and the other in the upper body — although investigators have not officially confirmed those details.
A text alert sent to hospital staff reportedly stated that the two victims were employees and that the shooting happened in the building’s basement.
Police officers, paramedics, firefighters, Delaware State Police and federal agents converged on the hospital campus, where workers were seen leaving the building with their hands raised.
Authorities located the two victims inside the hospital shortly after 5 p.m., but no update on their conditions has been released.
Police believe the shooting was work-related, but information may change as the investigation continues, according to ABC News.
Police rushed to the scene of Wilmington Hospital after an employee opened fire on two others
Federal agents arrived on the scene of the shooting Tuesday evening
The public is asked to avoid the area, where paramedics, police officers, firefighters and the Delaware State police gathered
The alleged shooter, whose identity is known to police, may have been a temporary employee of ChristianaCare’s Wilmington Hospital, sources told the outlet.
Another employee inside the hospital told NBC Philadelphia how he fled the emergency room after hearing two gunshots, which he described as sounding ‘almost like firefighters.’
‘There’s still people in there that can’t get out because they got them on lockdown… they’re probably terrified,’ the employee lamented, noting: ‘This is supposed to be a place for people to feel safe.’
Kathleen Decker, a former patient at the hospital, also said she was leaving the hospital to catch a shuttle back to Newark, New Jersey when she saw police run in.
‘So it was pretty evident that something was happening,’ she recounted. ‘And then all the police cars, ambulances came up here and I thought “Oh, it’s a shooter.”‘
In a statement, ChristianaCare said it is ‘aware of a shooting incident that occurred at our Wilmington Hospital campus. The campus is currently on lockdown, and the emergency department is on divert.
‘We are working closely with law enforcement and taking all appropriate steps to ensure the safety of our patients, caregivers and visitors,’ the healthcare group said, noting it is an ‘active police investigation for a possible active shooter.’
Wilmington police said they were called to the scene of ChristianaCare’s Wilmington Hospital at around 3.30pm on Tuesday for reports of a shooting
‘At this time, we are actively gathering information and will provide updates as soon as more details are confirmed.
‘Our priority remains the safety and well-being of everyone on our campus and the continuity of care for our patients,’ the healthcare group added.
The shooting came just moments after about 20 people took part in an active shooter course on the bottom floor of the hospital, Delaware Online reports.
Those that participated described how the instructor became serious after receiving a phone call, and then told everyone they needed to leave the building.
As the investigation now continues, the public is asked to avoid the area.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
