Charleston, West Virginia — Authorities have released the identity of the man shot and killed by police during a chaotic incident at Charleston Area Medical Center’s General Hospital early Friday morning. The suspect has been identified as Peter Delnardo Lilly, 46, of Charleston.
According to Charleston Police, the situation began shortly after midnight when Lilly arrived at the emergency department seeking medical attention. Witnesses reported that he became increasingly agitated, shouting at staff and patients, and discharging a fire extinguisher in the waiting area.
Hospital security tried to defuse the situation, but the confrontation escalated when Lilly locked himself inside a bathroom. Moments later, he emerged wielding a knife and lunged at medical personnel. The hospital immediately went into lockdown.
When officers arrived, they repeatedly ordered Lilly to drop the weapon. Instead, he entered an elevator and attacked a hospital employee. An officer then fired his weapon, striking Lilly. Despite immediate medical attention, he died at the scene. The hospital employee was not injured.
The emergency department was placed on diversion for about two hours as police secured the scene and collected evidence. Normal operations have since resumed.
Charleston Police Chief Scott Dempsey said the use of deadly force was necessary to protect lives in what he described as a rapidly unfolding and dangerous situation.
“This is never the outcome we want,” Dempsey said. “But when a suspect is armed with a deadly weapon and attacking someone, our officers must act to protect the innocent.”
The investigation is ongoing, and findings will be forwarded to the Kanawha County Prosecutor’s Office for review.