Hero doctor stops hospital shooting rampage: Psychiatrist uses his own gun to shoot patient who killed caseworker in front of him



Shots rang out at Mercy Fitger ald Hospital in Darby just at 2pm Th ursday

Dr Lee Silverman 'saved lives' when he pulled out his own gun and fired at the patient, Richard Plotts

However, the gunman had already shot dead caseworker Theresa Hunt, 53

The shooter, reportedly a psychiatric patient at the hospital, is in critical condition



Two guns were recovered from the scene



A Pennsylvania doctor is being hailed a hero today after he seriously injured a patient who went on a shooting spree in his office.

Dr. Lee Silverman, a psychiatrist, told police that the patient, identified as Richard Plotts, fatally shot a caseworker at their hospital complex before the doctor pulled out his own gun and exchanged fire with him and wounded him, a prosecutor said Thursday night.

Silverman was grazed in the temple during the gunfight in his office, according to Delaware District Attorney Jack Whelan.

Yeadon Police Chief Donald Molineux said that 'without a doubt, I believe the doctor saved lives.'

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Hero: This screen grab is believed to show Dr. Lee Silverman, who fired back at Richard Plotts when the psychiatric patient opened fire on Thursday at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital

SWAT: Police gather at the scene of a shooting at the Mercy-Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby

'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.

Whelan identified the caseworker killed Thursday afternoon at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital as Theresa Hunt, 53.



Hunt, who was from Philadelphia, had accompanied Plotts to an appointment with Silverman at a psychiatric crisis center adjacent to the hospital in Darby, just southwest of Philadelphia, authorities 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.'



A hospital worker views police activity after the frightening shooting

An officer stands guard near where a doctor grazed by gunfire from a patient who had entered his office in a suburban hospital's psychiatric unit stopped him by returning fire with his own gun and injuring him

A struggle ensued and spilled out into the hallway, Whelan said. Another doctor and a caseworker jumped in to help Silverman and secure Plotts' weapon, he said.



The motive for the shooting remained unclear late Thursday, although Whelan said Plotts, of Upper Darby, might have had issues with the doctor over his treatment plan.



However, it's unclear if that's why Silverman was armed, apparently against hospital policy.



'We do believe that there were some issues between the doctor and the patient, but whether or not he actually feared him is unclear,' the prosecutor said.



'From all accounts, (he) would have acted in self-defense.'



Whelan said that Plotts, 49, was still in surgery Thursday evening at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, while Silverman had been treated and released.



Telephone calls to the doctor's home went unanswered.

Fatal shooting: Several victims were reported after shots were fired at the Darby Borough hospital and at least one victim has died

Suspect: Shots broke out around 2pm but by 3pm reports from the scene indicated the suspected shooter was in custody

Plotts does not have a listed home phone number. Court records in Delaware County show a man of the same name and age with a lengthy criminal record, but Whelan was uncertain if they were the same person.



The hospital has a policy barring anyone except on-duty law enforcement officers from carrying weapons on its campus, a spokeswoman for the Mercy Health System said.



But Molineux insisted Silverman was a hero who saved lives .

Two guns were recovered from the scene, Whelan said.

Staff members had heard loud arguing inside Silverman's office during the appointment.



They opened the door and noticed the patient had a gun pointed at the doctor, so they quietly closed the door and dialed 911, Whelan said. Gunshots were heard a short time later, just before 2:30 p.m.



Terrifying: Around 100 terrified people ran out of the hospital's wellness center as SWAT teams rushed in

Hospital workers view police activity at the scene of a shooting Thursday at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby, Pennsylvania

About 100 people were evacuated. The shooting reportedly occurred on a third floor psych ward

Standing ready: A police officer carries his weapon near the scene of a shooting at the Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby

Plotts, severely wounded from several shots, emerged from the office, and another doctor and a caseworker helped wrestle him to the floor of the hallway and grabbed his weapon, Whelan said.



'They acted vigilantly. They acted bravely,' he said.



The exchange of gunfire occurred on the third floor of the Wellness Center at Mercy Fitzgerald, a 204-bed community teaching hospital. Authorities said there are no surveillance cameras in the doctor's office or the waiting area outside.



They also said the center had no metal detectors.



Patients waiting in the first-floor lobby reported a tense scene when police arrived and ordered everyone out. Most of the patients were elderly.



'I dozed off, and I heard the cop shouting, "Come on, come on, get out!"' said Millicent Russell, of Lansdowne, who was waiting for a 3 p.m. appointment.



'There were people with walkers and canes and stuff. All these cops were outside running here and there with these guns.'

A gunman opened fire inside the Pennsylvania psychiatric facility, pictured, killing a woman

Swarm: Shots rang out at the Delaware County facility around 2pm and SWAT teams quickly descended on the building