DA: Hospital Shooter Offended By Gun-Free Zone

The psychiatric patient who killed his caseworker before being shot by his own doctor was apparently offended by Mercy-Fitzgerald Hospital’s no-gun policy.

Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan told The Daily News that the only apparent motive for the deadly shooting Thursday inside the Delaware County hospital is that Richard Plotts, 49, was upset by the hospital’s gun-free zone.

Plotts’ victim, his caseworker, has been identified by authorities as Theresa Hunt, 53, of Philadelphia. Plotts shot her directly in the head with a .32-caliber revolver, authorities said; it is believed that her death was nearly instantaneous.

Plotts’ psychiatrics, Dr. Lee Silverman, pulled his own .32-caliber weapon and shot at Plotts, striking him in the arm and torso.

Silverman was shot by Plotts after firing himself, The Daily News said.

Silverman had a concealed-carry permit for the weapon, The Daily News said, and was in compliance with all state laws. However, Mercy-Fitzgerald said it was against hospital policy for anyone other than “on-duty law enforcement” officials to carry weapons, The Daily News said.

Plotts, a convicted felon, was prohibited from owning a gun. Whelan told The Daily News that authorities are trying to track the provenance of the weapon.

Hunt was pronounced dead at the scene; Silverman was treated and released.

Plotts remains under sedation at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He is expected to recover, and will be charged with murder and attempted murder, The Daily News said.