Beloved nurse killed in domestic shooting at Egg Harbor Twp., NJ rehab facility

EGG HARBOR TWP., N.J. (WPVI) -- A nurse at a rehabilitation facility was killed in a domestic violence shooting early Monday morning, according to a spokesperson at the facility.

The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office has not released details about what led to the shooting, but the Excelcare at Egg Harbor confirmed that one of its employees, a Licensed Practical Nurse, was killed during a domestic confrontation.

"She was allegedly shot by an acquaintance who was unaffiliated with the facility, but whom she had a history with. This issue did not involve our facility residents or other staff," a spokesperson said. "Our healthcare team was amazing in following our procedures to keep our residents safe during the incident, and we commend the local police for quickly responding."

Patients inside the facility on Delilah Road said they were startled awake around 6 a.m. by screams and gunfire.

"It sounded like it was right outside my room," said a patient who wished to remain anonymous. "I hear the scream, and then I heard the pops, and I was like, 'No, this is a serious situation here.'"

That patient told Action News he hid in a bathroom while calling 911.

Police responded to the 6800 block of Delilah Road and found one person dead and another critically injured.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Excelcare said: "We are deeply saddened by the heartbreaking death of one of our beloved employees during a domestic confrontation ... This has shaken everyone at Excelcare of Egg Harbor, and we offer our profound condolences to our staff member's family and friends."

As news of the shooting spread, a woman was seen collapsing to the ground in grief outside the facility.

"It was quite scary to wake up and hear this news and not know what was going on," said Amy Dillon, whose mother is a patient at the facility.

Dillon said her mother had only recently been admitted.

"We kind of like talked her into going there, and then two days go by, and this happens, so she's a little shooken up," she said.

Officials with the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said the incident appears to be isolated and involved people who knew each other.

"It was right during shift change, I think. So the staff was just coming in, so it's just one of those things everybody's shaken up right now," a patient added.

Authorities said there is no ongoing threat to the public as the investigation continues.