During a joint press conference with the Delaware Attorney General’s Office, ChristianaCare representatives released new information about the suspect’s employment status and access to the facility.
Police have identified the suspect as 23-year-old John Wallace-Bey. Officials said Wallace-Bey joined ChristianaCare in February 2026 as a participant in a six-month, non-clinical information technology internship program. Internship participants were primarily based at the Newark campus but could be assigned to other ChristianaCare locations as needed. On the day of the incident, participants were working on a scheduled IT project in the basement IT office at Wilmington Hospital.
On the day of the shooting the hospital was placed on lockdown as officers responded to reports of gunfire. Police later confirmed that two 19-year-old males had been shot during what investigators described as a targeted and isolated incident.
The victim who died was later identified as Ethan Hillman, 19, of Smyrna. The second victim remains hospitalized in stable condition.
ChristianaCare officials addressed reports regarding Wallace-Bey’s employment status prior to the shooting. According to the organization’s internal investigation, Wallace-Bey was not fired, disciplined, or sent home. Officials said that after a verbal disagreement with the two victims on the morning of June 16, Wallace-Bey told a senior IT employee he wanted to leave for the day and was given permission to do so. He left voluntarily and was expected to return to work the following day according to the hospital.
Officials said Wallace-Bey remained an active participant in the internship program and retained valid employee badge access. As a result, he was able to enter the Wilmington campus through an employee entrance later that afternoon when the shooting occurred.
Wallace-Bey has been charged with murder and attempted murder along with related charges.
ChristianaCare also said its internal review found no reports from employees indicating concerns that Wallace-Bey posed a threat to himself or others. Officials stated he completed the same pre-employment screening process required of all employees and interns and met the organization’s standard hiring requirements.
On Monday ChristianCare employees were sent an alert warning them of police activity was occurring again at Wilmington Hospital. Shortly after First State Update learned about the new alert the hospital gave the all clear.
