A skilled nursing facility in New Castle County is conducting psychological and social evaluations on patients and staff after a shooting occurred there this weekend.
An 82-year-old man entered ManorCare Health Services on Foulk Road Saturday and shot his 79-year-old wife, who was a resident there, before shooting himself.
State officials deemed the incident a murder-suicide and released the names of the shooter and victim Monday.
Delaware State Police spokeswoman Melissa Jaffe said the shooter’s motive is still under investigation, but that no more information will be released to the public.
In a statement, Julie Beckert of ManorCare said the company is shocked and saddened. She called the shooting an “isolated tragedy.”
She said staff are trained for active shooter situations, and visitors to the facility must sign in. She said because it is a private residence, there is no metal detector or policy of bag checks.
Cheryl Heiks, executive director of the Delaware Health Care Facilities Association, says nursing homes and assisted living providers across Delaware are “diligent about ensuring a safe environment for their patients, residents and staff.”
The Delaware Health Care Facilities Association provides emergency and disaster preparedness trainings to member facilities.
“Mental health among the elderly is an important issue which our country needs to address,” Heiks said. “This is a good reminder for friends and families to ask questions about depression.”
