The Pennsylvania State Police are investigating a shooting that occurred outside the Danville-based Geisinger Medical Center campus and took the life of a hospital employee.
Vikki Wetzel, 49, of Berwick, Pa., was fatally shot about 5 p.m. Dec. 30 while returning to her car in an employee parking lot, following her shift in the hospital's lab medicine department, Montour County Coroner Scott Lynn said in a news release Dec. 31, according to The Standard-Journal.
"The person of interest fled the scene in a dark SUV, believed to be a Ford Edge, according to video surveillance," Mr. Lynn stated, according to the newspaper. "There is no danger to the public."
The Standard-Journal also reported that county coroners indicate the shooting is connected with a Columbia County traffic crash in which David Morgan, 48, of Mount Carmel, Pa., was found dead at the scene. The crash occurred Dec. 30, after 6 p.m.
"The decedent also has an injury consistent with an apparent gunshot wound that at this time is suspected to have occurred prior to the motor vehicle collision," Columbia County Coroner Jeremy Reese stated, according to the newspaper. "The cause and manner of death are pending a forensic autopsy scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 4."
In a Dec. 31 statement shared with Becker's, Geisinger Medical Center said Ms. Wetzel was "part of the Geisinger family for more than 21 years. Her most recent role was part of our laboratory medicine team. Our thoughts go out to her family, friends and colleagues.
"We will be providing mental health support services to Vikki's colleagues."
The hospital also said it was under lockdown for several hours Dec. 30 but returned to normal operations later that night.
"We are working closely with law enforcement in the investigation," the hospital added.