Authorities are trying to determine why a man identified as a patient fatally shot a caseworker at a hospital complex in a Philadelphia suburb and whether a psychiatrist who pulled out his own gun and wounded the patient had concerns about him.
The psychiatrist, Dr. Lee Silverman, was grazed in the temple during the gunfight in his office with patient Richard Plotts
"When the caseworker was shot, (Silverman) crouched down behind the desk to avoid him being shot," Whelan said. "He was able to reach for his weapon, and realizing it was a life or death situation, was able to engage the defendant in the exchange of gunfire."
This most likely could have been done with pepper spray or mace, what with how it transpired, with similar results.
Tho this is one of relatively few cases where an illegal gun (the psychiatrists' since guns were disallowed where he worked) had positive effects contravening gun control efforts. Bravo to the doctor, but when compared overall with the benefits from gun control these isolated cases don't stack up well.
A struggle ensued and spilled out into the hallway, Whelan said. Another doctor and a caseworker jumped in to help Silverman and secure Plotts' weapon...
Staff members had heard loud arguing inside Silverman's office during the appointment. They opened the door and noticed the patient had a gun pointed at the doctor, so they quietly closed the door and dialed 911... Gunshots were heard a short time later, just before 2:30 p.m.
So they were alerted, & it's doubtful he could've done a massacre with people alerted so.
"Without that firearm, this guy (the patient) could have went out in the hallway and just walked down the offices until he ran out of ammunition," {police} chief said.
Conjecture, & unlikely since the staff was alerted.
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