One person was killed and another injured in a shooting inside Wilmington Hospital, police said at a Tuesday evening news conference. The condition of the second victim has not been released.
Officials also said the suspect remains at large and the hospital lockdown has since been lifted. The hospital was placed on lockdown earlier after two people were shot inside, police said.
Law enforcement sources told ABC News that preliminary information suggests the incident began when one hospital employee shot two co-workers. Authorities are searching for the suspected gunman.
The shooting was reported around 3:30 p.m. at Wilmington Hospital, according to David Karas, chief administrative officer of the Wilmington Police Department. Karas did not immediately provide details on the victims or say whether the suspect had been located.
In a statement, ChristianaCare, which operates the hospital, said it was diverting patients from its emergency department and “taking all appropriate steps to ensure the safety of our patients, caregivers and visitors.”
“This is an active police investigation for a possible active shooter,” the statement said.
Police believe the shooting was an isolated workplace incident.
At the news conference, Wilmington Mayor John Carney acknowledged the victims and hospital workers who hid as law enforcement went from room to room, clearing the building.
“If ever there is a place that should be a sanctuary for such violence, that is the place,” Carney said.
The scene remains active as the investigation continues.
Violence has been a persistent problem at hospitals across the U.S.
Wilmington, which has about 71,000 residents and is Delaware’s largest city, is about 25 miles (40 km) south of Philadelphia.