A tense and chaotic scene unfolded at Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) General Hospital in the early hours of Friday morning, ending with a man fatally shot by a Charleston police officer. Authorities say the man, identified as 46-year-old Peter Delnardo Lilly of Charleston, was armed with a knife and acting aggressively before being confronted by law enforcement.
According to Charleston Police Chief Scott Dempsey, the incident began shortly after midnight when Lilly entered the hospital’s emergency room seeking treatment for an unspecified medical condition or injury. While waiting, witnesses said his demeanor abruptly changed — he became erratic, verbally aggressive, and began making threats toward staff and patients.
Lilly reportedly locked himself inside a bathroom for a short time. Upon exiting, he was armed with a knife and allegedly began lunging toward people in the waiting area. Witnesses told police he also grabbed a fire extinguisher, spraying it wildly throughout the room and into the faces of bystanders, further escalating the chaos.
As hospital staff scrambled to ensure the safety of patients, a Charleston police officer arrived on scene. Before the situation could be fully de-escalated, Lilly entered an elevator where a hospital employee was present. Authorities say Lilly began attacking the employee, prompting the officer to act immediately.
Chief Dempsey confirmed that the officer fired at Lilly inside the elevator, striking him. Despite efforts to provide medical aid, Lilly died shortly afterward. The hospital employee in the elevator escaped without injury.
“This was an extremely volatile and dangerous situation,” Chief Dempsey said during a press briefing. “Police officers never want to be forced into taking a life, but in this case, I believe the quick and decisive actions of our officer prevented further harm or loss of life. The safety of hospital staff, patients, and visitors was the priority.”
The name of the officer involved has not yet been released, in line with department policy during active investigations.
For several hours following the shooting, CAMC General’s emergency room was placed on lockdown as investigators processed the scene. The lockdown has since been lifted, and normal operations have resumed.
Authorities have not yet determined what may have caused Lilly’s behavior that night, and it remains unclear whether drugs, alcohol, or mental health issues played a role. The investigation is ongoing, with the incident now under review by both Charleston Police and independent oversight officials.