County applauds response to Mercy Fitz shooting. (including the doctor who stopped it

[internet troll]

Remember Silverman, the guy who stopped a potential mass shooting by having a firearm when it was needed? He was among those honored for their role in stopping Plotts. I thought this was a nice story because it recognizes him as a hero instead of vilifying him.

http://www.delcotimes.com/general-ne...-fitz-shooting

DIA — Yeadon Mayor Rohan Hepkins described the emergency response to the fatal shooting on the Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital campus in July as surreal, life-changing and life-alternating.

“We came together,” Hepkins said. “It brought tears to my eyes.”

Delaware County Council and District Attorney Jack Whelan recognized the response provided by more than three dozen police officers, emergency personnel and hospital staffers. They were presented resolutions honoring their actions Wednesday at the county council meeting.

Four individuals — Dr. Lee Silverman, Dr. Jeffrey Dekret, John D’Alonzo and Stephanie Waters — received particular attention for the vital roles they played in preventing further tragedy.

Richard S. Plotts, 47, of Upper Darby, was charged with killing Theresa Hunt and injuring Silverman during a shooting July 24 on the hospital campus. Silverman was able to return fire, critically wounding Plotts.

“The police, their response was incredible,” Whelan said. “They were able to arrive in minutes, take control of the situation and assess it. The tactical teams arrived moments later. The support staff at the hospital was not only cooperative, but instructive in being able to direct their employees and to go into a lockdown mode so they were protected.”

Plotts fatally shot Hunt in the head before turning his gun on Silverman, who was struck in the thumb and suffered a graze wound to his head, according to investigators. Silverman managed to shoot Plotts three times with a gun he kept in his desk drawer.

Hearing gunshots, D’Alonzo climbed through an open window into Silverman’s locked office and tackled Plotts, Whelan said. Dekret entered and helped D’Alonzo subdue Plotts, who Whelan said was attempting to reload. Waters, an employee of Mercy Psychiatry Associates, made the initial 911 call and stayed on the line until police arrived at the scene.

“It was only when (Plotts) was on the ground and was subdued that they realized he had been shot by Dr. Silverman,” Whelan said. “That was incredible.”

Investigators claim Plotts had more than 30 additional rounds of ammunition and was prepared to kill more people.

“We certainly believe there was a reason he was leaving the office and had the gun open and was attempting to reload,” Whelan said.

Silverman, Dekret, a physician, and D’Alonzo, a blended case manager, were unavailable to be interviewed due to the ongoing criminal investigation, according to hospital spokeswoman Bernice Manallo Ho.

Whelan said a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 7.

“We’re prepared to proceed at this time,” Whelan said.

Plotts is charged with first- and third-degree murder, criminal homicide, possessing an instrument of crime, illegal possession of a firearm, carrying a firearm without a license and reckless endangerment. He is being held without bail at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility.

Fourteen police officers, including Yeadon Chief Donald J. Molineux, Darby Chief Robert F. Smythe and East Lansdowne Chief John J. Zimath, were honored for their response. Twelve members of Mercy EMS were recognized, including Chief Larry Smythe. Another 12 hospital officials, Darby Mayor Helen Thomas and Hepkins were presented resolutions.

“The emergency response was unbelievable to get there and to secure the scene,” county council Chairman Tom McGarrigle said. “You know what happened after the event, but at that point, those first responders don’t know whether there’s another shooter in the building. ... For them to rush into a building where shots were fired was pretty was courageous.”

McGarrigle, a Republican, is running against Democrat John Kane for the open seat in the 26th Senatorial District. Kane released a statement through his campaign thanking the responders for their actions.

“The brave work of Delaware County’s first responders during the crisis at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital serves as a testament to their training and their heroic nature of the men and women who protect us every day,” Kane said. “Thank you for all that you did to contain an incredibly dangerous situation and keep our community safe.”

Council also announced its annual Run for Heroes, a 5K race that benefits the Delaware County Hero Scholarship Fund. That fund provides scholarships to children of police, firefighters and emergency medical personnel who died in the line of duty.

The race, slated for Oct. 12 at the Springfield municipal building, is expected to draw about 1,000 participants and raise about $50,000.

[IIIIIREPOIIIII]

But he had a gun in a GFZ!

[PA-Joe]

What makes you think it was a GFZ? Was there a public school within 1000 feet of the hospital?

[knight0334]

What makes you think it was a GFZ? Was there a public school within 1000 feet of the hospital?

Two part GFZ thing.. The private property/trespass thing and possibly the mental hospital thing(if that wing/floor was considered a "mental hospital").