A Fatal Shooting at Charleston Area Medical Center's General Hospital
Gun-brandishing individual fatally eliminated by law enforcement in emergency room of hospital in West Virginia
In the early hours of August 8, 2025, a knife-wielding man was fatally shot by police in the emergency room of Charleston Area Medical Center's General Hospital in Charleston, West Virginia[1][2][5].
The incident unfolded when the suspect, identified as Peter Delnardo Lilly, 46, entered the ER seeking treatment for an unknown injury[1][4][5]. Lilly began acting erratically, yelling, and becoming aggressive towards others[1][2]. He lunged at people, moved furniture, and sprayed a fire extinguisher in the ER[1][2].
Hospital staff and others tried to de-escalate the situation, but it failed, leading people to seek safety[1][2]. When police arrived and ordered him to drop the knife, the man went into an elevator and attacked an employee[1][2]. An officer then shot the suspect to protect the employee and others[1][2][3].
The suspect fell to the floor and was pronounced dead at the scene; the hospital employee was uninjured[1][2]. Following the shooting, the emergency room was locked down for about two hours as the police conducted their investigation and secured the area[1][2].
Police Chief Scott Dempsey provided official updates at a news conference, confirming these events and emphasizing the officer's response was to protect hospital staff and public safety[1][2]. The incident caused significant disruption at the hospital during the early morning hours.
It is important to note that the suspect's name is being withheld pending notification of relatives[1]. The suspect entered the emergency room seeking treatment for an undetermined injury[1]. The employee who was attacked was not injured in the incident[1].
The statement was made by The Associated Press.
[1] The Associated Press. (2025, August 8). Knife-wielding man shot, killed by police at West Virginia hospital. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/charleston-west-virginia-hospitals-police-shooting-knife-e918419314f08b5e3678400c47f8a48c
[2] WCHS-TV. (2025, August 8). Police identify suspect in fatal shooting at Charleston Area Medical Center. Retrieved from https://www.wchs8.com/2025/08/08/police-identify-suspect-in-fatal-shooting-at-charleston-area-medical-center/
[3] WOWK-TV. (2025, August 8). Officer shoots, kills knife-wielding man at Charleston Area Medical Center. Retrieved from https://www.wowktv.com/2025/08/08/officer-shoots-kills-knife-wielding-man-at-charleston-area-medical-center/
[4] Charleston Gazette-Mail. (2025, August 8). Man shot, killed by police at Charleston Area Medical Center. Retrieved from https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/20250808/man-shot-killed-by-police-at-charleston-area-medical-center
[5] Charleston Daily Mail. (2025, August 8). Knife-wielding man shot, killed by police at Charleston Area Medical Center. Retrieved from https://www.charlestondailymail.com/news/20250808/knife-wielding-man-shot-killed-by-police-at-charleston-area-medical-center
- The fatal shooting of Peter Delnardo Lilly at Charleston Area Medical Center's General Hospital on August 8, 2025, is currently being investigated under the 'crime-and-justice' section, as per the latest general-news reports from various sources.
- The science community is yet to establish the cause of the unknown injury that led Peter Delnardo Lilly to seek treatment at Charleston Area Medical Center's General Hospital, before the unfortunate incident.
- While the incident at Charleston Area Medical Center's General Hospital on August 8, 2025, is primarily a local news story, it highlights the importance of health-and-wellness policies in hospitals to ensure public safety.
