Police responded to reports of a shooting at a hospital in Wilmington, Delaware, on Tuesday afternoon. Initial accounts indicated that the incident took place within the ChristianaCare site on the 500 block of West 14th Street. The Wilmington Police Department has asked the public to steer clear of the area. A department dispatcher stated that the scene and investigation continue to be active.
In a statement to Newsweek, the hospital confirmed that the campus was on lockdown and the emergency department is diverting patients. They assured collaboration with law enforcement, taking necessary measures to secure the safety of patients, caregivers, and visitors. The statement emphasized that this involves an active police investigation for a potential active shooter.
“We are working closely with law enforcement and taking all appropriate steps to ensure the safety of our patients, caregivers, and visitors. This is an active police investigation for a possible active shooter,” said the hospital.
Shooting at Wilmington Hospital: Current Details
Reports of the shooting emerged around 4:10 p.m. ET on Tuesday. By 4:50 p.m. ET, limited information was available regarding the number of possible injuries or the identity of the suspect.
Approximately at 4:30 p.m., numerous police officers, including those in tactical gear, gathered outside the hospital’s main and emergency room entrances, as reported by the Delaware News Journal.
Location of ChristianaCare Wilmington Hospital
The Wilmington Police Department noted that the incident occurred at the hospital, located on the 500 block of West 14th Street in the city, positioned northwest of the downtown area. The hospital encompasses 321 beds within a 622,100-square-foot facility. Notably, in January 2021, then President-Elect Joe Biden received his second COVID-19 vaccine at this location.
Hospital Campus on Lockdown
The hospital indicated that the campus remains on lockdown as the investigation progresses. “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,” Wilmington Hospital relayed in a statement to Newsweek.
Injury Reports
No official reports regarding injuries have yet been made available.
This incident is ongoing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.