WILMINGTON, Del. (WPVI) — Officials have identified the man accused in the deadly workplace shooting at Wilmington Hospital in Delaware on Tuesday. One person was killed and another was injured, according to police.
The suspected shooter, 23-year-old John Wallace-Bey of New Castle, was arrested Tuesday night after being tracked to Philadelphia’s Olney section, according to police.
John Wallace-Bey of New Castle
He is facing several charges, including murder and attempted murder, as he awaits extradition to Delaware.
Officials say the two victims are both 19-year-old men.
The name of the victim killed will be released at a later time, according to police.
The surviving victim remains hospitalized in critical condition. His name has also not been released.
Here’s what we know as police work to learn more about the suspect Wednesday.
Police say they believe the shooting was a targeted and isolated incident.
A suspect is in custody following a double shooting on Tuesday that left one person dead inside Wilmington Hospital in Delaware.
Officers responded to Wilmington Hospital in the 500 block of W. 14th Street around 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
Investigators say Wallace-Bey, hospital employee, allegedly shot two other employees, prompting a lockdown of the facility.
Chopper 6 video showed people leaving the hospital with their hands up as the SWAT team searched for the suspect.
How police tracked down the suspected shooter
Law enforcement sources tell Action News that license plate readers helped investigators track the suspect.
Various law enforcement agencies swarmed an area in the city’s Olney section around North 9th Street, between Lindley Avenue and West Wellens Street.
Police towed a Toyota RAV4 from the scene and took Wallace-Bey into custody around 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
Action News spoke with safety and security consultant Maureen Rush, the former vice president for public safety and superintendent of Penn Police. She discussed the tools investigators use to track down suspects and what comes next in the investigation.
“I think the first thing they are going to do is the why, right? So, they are gonna go to HR and say, ‘Has there been any issues with this employee?’ If he’s a temp employee, go to the temp service. ‘Has there been any issues with this person?'” Rush describes. “Obviously, they know where he lives. Hopefully, then they can track down a family member or parent, spouse.”
Witnesses describe scary moments
All patients and visitors were told to shelter in place in the nearest room as the incident unfolded.
“I was in the emergency room. You can hear the shots go off,” said Brian Pfeffer.
Pfeffer is a hospital guide who was in the Emergency Department at the time of the gunfire. He said he heard the shots and was there as armed police entered the building.
“It was super intense. I’m kind of shaking,” he said. “God forbid anyone should have to be a part of that.”
RELATED: Witnesses describe scary moments inside Wilmington Hospital following deadly double shooting
“There was Wilmington police that had run in, and they were going down the hallway, and then a couple minutes later, it felt like 50 cops with AR-15s,” said Jake Zebley of Fishtown, Philadelphia.
“All these cops were coming in, and they said, ‘Get out of here, get in the bathroom,’ and they put all of us in the bathroom, including all the medical workers,” said L’Tanya Billups of Upper Chichester, Pennsylvania. “I just started praying, I said, ‘Lord, protect us.'”
Sharon Younghans of Dover, Delaware, was visiting her mother in hospice.
“I heard sirens and helicopters, and I see SWAT, and of course can’t get back in,” she said.
Loved ones were seen nearby, sobbing and consoling one another.
“It’s a real problem in America right now,” said Pfeffer. “Somebody needs to do something. This is unacceptable.”
ChristianaCare, which operates the hospital, said in an emailed statement it was diverting patients from its emergency department and “taking all appropriate steps to ensure the safety of our patients, caregivers and visitors.”
“Our hearts are with the victims, their families and loved ones, and everyone affected by today’s violence,” said Jennifer Schwartz, Esq., incoming president and CEO. “This is a tragic and deeply painful moment for our community.”
Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
