On June 16, 2026, a tragic incident occurred at Wilmington Hospital when John Wallace-Bey, age 23, allegedly shot and killed Ethan Hillman, 19, and wounded another intern. According to the Delaware Department of Justice, Wallace-Bey was indicted on Monday for seven felony charges including murder, attempted murder, and weapons offenses.
The shooting took place after an argument between Wallace-Bey and two other ChristianaCare IT interns earlier that morning. Following a dispute at work, he asked to leave early but returned later in the afternoon armed with a firearm. Both victims were shot once; Hillman was fatally wounded while his colleague sustained injuries from which they have since been upgraded to stable condition.
Attorney General Kathy Jennings stated during a press conference that Wallace-Bey fled Wilmington Station after the shooting and traveled by train to Philadelphia, where he was apprehended shortly thereafter. She emphasized that this crime appears to be targeted with no prior issues known about Wallace-Bey within ChristianaCare. The Attorney General noted that while some details of his activities between the time of the shooting and his arrest remain under investigation, it is believed that he acted alone.
ChristianaCare’s incoming CEO Jennifer Schwartz confirmed that all three interns were part of the same class at Wilmington Hospital. In response to this incident, stepped-up security measures have been implemented immediately following the attack. The hospital remains committed to reviewing its safety policies continuously as more information comes to light from ongoing investigations.
Wilmington Police Chief Wilfredo Campos praised his officers for their swift action in apprehending Wallace-Bey and thanked various law enforcement agencies involved in the case. He also expressed condolences to those affected by this senseless act of violence, underscoring the importance of community support during such times.
The Department of Justice reminded the public that charges are allegations until proven otherwise in a court of law. The full extent of Wallace-Bey's actions and motives continues to be scrutinized as part of an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.