One Dead in Pennsylvania Hospital Shootout - East Idaho News
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One Dead in Pennsylvania Hospital Shootout

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getty 072514 crimescene?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1406314510716iStock/Thinkstock(DARBY, Penn.) — A patient opened fire at a hospital campus in Pennsylvania on Thursday, killing his case worker and wounding a psychiatrist, according to police.

District Attorney Jack Whelan announced charges Friday against Richard Plotts, the suspect in the deadly shootout in Darby.

Plotts had an appointment with his doctor, Lee Silverman, scheduled for 2:30 p.m., but showed up about an hour earlier.

Silverman had the suspect’s case worker, Theresa Hunt, meet him and the patient in the office. According to the doctor, Plotts was agitated, refusing to sit down. He removed the gun from his waistband and start to rant, then pointed the weapon at Hunt and shot her in the head.

In response, Silverman said he pulled out a semi-automatic gun he had in the office, and returned fire with the suspect. The doctor was shot through his thumb as he was covering his face, and was also grazed in the head, according to officials. He was treated and released Thursday night.

Another doctor and caseworker wrestled with Plotts to subdue him until police arrived.

The patient was found with an additional 39 bullets, which authorities believe indicate that he was going to reload and shoot others.

Plotts criminal history dates back to 1990 and he is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

“If it wasn’t for the heroic action of the doctor and the case worker, we believe he was there and going to reload that revolver, and continue to fire and continue to kill,” Whelan said.

Officials believe Plotts had an issue with a rule that banned guns from the medical facility.

He is being treated for his injuries, including two gun wounds to the stomach, and is sedated, according to Whelan.

The District Attorney’s Office is in the process of charging him with murder and the attempted murder of Silverman.


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