ChristianaCare has expanded weapons screening to include employee entrances at Wilmington (Del.) Hospital following a June 16 shooting at the facility that left one person dead and another injured, Jenn Schwartz, the health system’s incoming president and CEO, said in a June 19 video message posted on Facebook. The move expands existing weapons screening measures already in place for hospital visitors.
“We are committed to securing the physical and psychological safety of everyone, and continue to look at how to strengthen those safety protocols,” Ms. Schwartz said. “We expanded weapons screening to include employee entrances at Wilmington Hospital.”
Ms. Schwartz also said ChristianaCare is reviewing concerns raised about employee notifications during the incident and plans to share additional information in the coming days.
The June 16 shooting left one person dead and another injured inside the hospital, according to Wilmington police. Authorities identified the suspect as John Wallace-Bey of New Castle, Del. Ms. Schwartz said Mr. Wallace-Bey joined ChristianaCare as a nonclinical IT employee in February and had active employee badge access to Wilmington Hospital on the day of the shooting.
Police said Mr. Wallace-Bey was taken into custody in Philadelphia and faces charges including first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. The deceased victim has been identified as 19-year-old Ethan Hillman of Smyrna, Del. The second victim remains hospitalized in stable condition. Authorities have described the shooting as a targeted, isolated incident.
In her message, Ms. Schwartz said ChristianaCare remains focused on supporting victims, caregivers and patients in the aftermath of the shooting.
“We have also heard extraordinary stories of heroism and compassion, such as caregivers who sheltered in place side by side with their patients to keep them safe,” she said. “I am in awe of our caregivers who continue to show up every day, and because of that we have been able to care for our patients without interruption.”
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