Doctor fired back at gunman in hospital attack

AP Photo

Hospital workers leave the scene of a shooting July 24, 2014, at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby, Pa.

1 hr ago By Associated Press

DARBY, Pennsylvania (AP) — A doctor who was grazed by gunfire from a patient in his office at a Pennsylvania hospital on Thursday helped stop him by apparently returning fire with his own weapon and severely injuring him, but not before a caseworker was killed, authorities said.

The patient opened fire after entering the office with the caseworker, District Attorney Jack Whelan said. Witnesses reported hearing yelling before the gunshots.
Several hours after the shooting, investigators had only limited information on what happened inside the closed office but believe the doctor, a psychiatrist, "from all accounts, would have acted in self-defense," Whelan said.
The doctor, who suffered a graze wound to his head, "faced a situation where his life was in jeopardy," Whelan said.
The dead caseworker was identified only as a 53-year-old woman who had entered the doctor's office with the patient before the gunfire erupted. Police said they were trying to find relatives to notify.
Two guns were recovered, Whelan said. Authorities said the motive for the shooting was unknown.
The patient, who was critically injured and was taken into custody, was identified as Richard Plotts, who is in his mid-30s.
The prosecutor said Plotts had been involved in previous incidents with staff, but he did not know their nature. He also said he did not know if that is why the doctor had a gun or if the doctor would have been required to have a permit.
After the door of the office was closed, staff members heard loud arguing inside, opened the door and noticed the patient had a gun, Whelan said. They then closed the door and dialed the 911 emergency dispatch number. Gunshots were heard a short time later.
After Plotts emerged from the office, another doctor and a caseworker helped wrestle him to the floor of the hallway and grabbed his weapon, Whelan said. By that point he had already been severely wounded from several shots, he said.
The exchange of gunfire occurred on the third floor of the Wellness Center at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital, a 204-bed community teaching hospital just southwest of Philadelphia.