WILMINGTON, Del. —Authorities have identified the suspect accused of opening fire inside Wilmington Hospital, killing one person and seriously injuring another in a shooting that sent the medical facility into lockdown and triggered a multi-state manhunt.
According to investigators, 23-year-old John Wallace-Bey of New Castle, Delaware, was arrested in Philadelphia hours after the shooting and is now facing multiple charges, including first-degree murder, attempted murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and carrying a concealed deadly weapon.
The shooting occurred Tuesday afternoon at Wilmington Hospital, where police responded to reports of gunfire around 3:30 p.m. Officers arriving at the scene located two victims suffering from gunshot wounds. One victim, a 19-year-old male, later died from his injuries. A second 19-year-old male was hospitalized and remains in critical but stable condition, according to authorities.
Law enforcement officials believe the incident was targeted and isolated, emphasizing that there is currently no indication of an ongoing threat to the public. Investigators have not yet publicly disclosed a motive for the attack.
Following the shooting, hospital administrators initiated emergency lockdown procedures as police conducted a building-wide search. Employees and patients sheltered in place while officers cleared rooms and secured the facility.
Authorities say Wallace-Bey fled the hospital immediately after the shooting. A coordinated search involving local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies led investigators to Philadelphia, where the suspect was ultimately taken into custody in the city’s Olney neighborhood.
Hospital operations were disrupted during the incident, with emergency services temporarily diverted to nearby medical facilities. The lockdown was later lifted after police determined the hospital was secure.
City officials condemned the violence and praised hospital staff, first responders, and law enforcement officers for their actions during the emergency.
“This type of violence is unacceptable in any community,” officials said during a news briefing, noting the tragic nature of a shooting occurring inside a healthcare facility dedicated to treating patients and saving lives.
Wallace-Bey remains in custody in Pennsylvania and is expected to be extradited to Delaware to face charges. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not yet released the identity of the deceased victim pending family notification.
Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact Wilmington Police.
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