
In October 2021, a shooting at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia left a nurse assistant dead and two police officers injured. The shooter was identified as 55-year-old Stacey Hayes, who ambushed and shot his 43-year-old coworker, Anrae James, six times in a hallway. After the shooting, Hayes fled the hospital in a U-Haul truck and fired an AR-15 style rifle at police, wounding two officers before being shot and arrested. Stacey Hayes was sentenced to 35 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges including third-degree murder.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Stacey Hayes |
| Age | 55 |
| Victim's Name | Anrae James |
| Victim's Age | 43 |
| Victim's Occupation | Nurse Assistant |
| Victim's Family | Wife and three children |
| Location | Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia |
| Date | October 6, 2021 |
| Time | Shortly after midnight |
| Gun Used | Handgun |
| Number of Shots Fired | Six |
| Police Officers Injured | Two |
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What You'll Learn

Stacey Hayes was the Jefferson Hospital shooter
Hayes was sentenced to 35 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges including third-degree murder. During his sentencing, he apologized for his actions but declined to specify a motive for the crime. The shooting shocked the community, and Jefferson Hospital offered counseling for impacted employees and patients while also conducting a thorough review of its safety protocols. The tragic incident highlighted the importance of addressing gun violence and ensuring the safety and security of healthcare facilities.
The investigation into the shooting revealed that Hayes, who was 55 years old at the time, had confronted James on the eighth or ninth floor of the hospital. James was on duty and sitting at a computer when Hayes approached and opened fire with a handgun. Despite the efforts of colleagues to save James, he succumbed to his injuries. The shooting sparked outrage and devastation among James's family and loved ones, who struggled to come to terms with the senseless act of violence.
The incident at Jefferson Hospital underscores the devastating impact of gun violence and the urgent need for measures to prevent such tragedies. The sentencing of Hayes brought some sense of justice, but the loss of James and the trauma inflicted on those affected will have lasting repercussions. The case also raised questions about workplace security and the mental health issues that may contribute to such violent acts.
Overall, the shooting perpetrated by Stacey Hayes at Jefferson Hospital was a tragic and senseless act that resulted in the loss of a dedicated family man, Anrae James, and traumatized those closest to him. The incident underscored the critical importance of prioritizing safety in healthcare settings and addressing the underlying factors that contribute to gun violence.
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Anrae James was the victim
James was on duty and sitting at a computer in the hallway when Hayes, who was not working at the time, exited an elevator and opened fire with a handgun. James was shot six times and pronounced dead shortly afterward.
After the shooting, Hayes fled the hospital and drove several miles in a U-Haul truck before firing an AR-15 style rifle into the air and toward police officers. Two officers were injured in the gunfire before Hayes was shot and taken into custody.
Hayes was sentenced to 35 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges including third-degree murder. During the sentencing, he expressed remorse for his actions but did not offer a motive for the crime.
The shooting had a devastating impact on James' family, who described him as a "wonderful" family man. They have struggled to come to terms with his death and have sought answers about why the tragedy occurred.
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James was shot six times
Anrae James, a 43-year-old nurse assistant and father of three, was shot six times by 55-year-old Stacey Hayes at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. The shooting took place in a hallway on the eighth or ninth floor of the hospital, where James was on duty and sitting at a computer.
The motive for the crime remains unknown, as Hayes declined to provide an explanation for his actions. However, the attack appears to have been premeditated, as Hayes was not working at the time of the shooting and was wearing body armor when he fled the hospital.
Following the shooting, Hayes drove several miles in a U-Haul truck before firing rounds from an AR-15 style rifle into the air and later towards police officers. A shootout ensued, and two officers were injured before Hayes was taken into custody.
The tragic incident left James's family devastated and seeking answers. James was described as a "wonderful" family man who was working hard to support his wife and children. The impact of his loss was profound, with James's young daughter struggling to come to terms with her father's death.
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Hayes was sentenced to 35 years in prison
Stacey Hayes, the gunman who shot and killed a coworker inside Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, was sentenced to 35 years in prison. The 55-year-old Hayes admitted to fatally shooting 43-year-old Anrae James during an ambush-style attack on the hospital floor. James was a nursing assistant and was on duty, sitting at a computer in the hallway, when Hayes—who was not working at the time—got out of an elevator, walked towards James, and opened fire with a handgun.
James was shot six times and was pronounced dead a short time later. He left behind a wife and three children. In a letter read aloud by Assistant District Attorney David Osborne, James' wife wrote that she was still in disbelief and described times when the couple's children had broken down asking for their father.
After the shooting, Hayes left the hospital and drove off in a U-Haul. He later started a shootout with police in West Philadelphia, firing nearly 70 rounds and injuring two officers. During his sentencing, Hayes said, "I won't ask for forgiveness from y'all because I don't deserve it. But I am truly, truly, truly sorry for my actions." His lawyer, Gary Server, said that the 35-year prison term was "effectively a life sentence" as it would bar Hayes from seeking parole until he is nearly 90 years old.
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Two police officers were injured
On October 5, 2021, a shooting at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia left a nurse assistant dead and two police officers injured. The suspect, 55-year-old Stacey Hayes, was sentenced to 35 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges including third-degree murder.
The incident began shortly after midnight when Hayes shot and killed 43-year-old Anrae James, a colleague, inside the hospital. James was shot six times in an ambush-style attack on the eighth or ninth floor of the hospital. He was sitting at a computer in a hallway when Hayes exited an elevator and opened fire with a handgun. James was survived by his wife and three children.
After the shooting, Hayes left the hospital and drove off in a U-Haul truck. About an hour later, a passerby flagged down officers in Parkside, reporting that a man in scrubs was possibly firing shots in the air. Four officers approached Hayes and told him to drop his weapon, but he opened fire on them instead, shooting nearly 70 rounds. The officers returned fire, striking Hayes, who was wearing body armour. Two of the officers, including one named Perez, were wounded in the gunfire.
The shooting left the hospital devastated but also prompted them to stress the importance they place on safety. They offered counselling for impacted employees and patients and conducted a thorough review of their safety protocols.
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Frequently asked questions
Stacey Hayes, a 55-year-old nursing assistant.
Anrae James, a 43-year-old nursing assistant and father of three.
Yes, two police officers were injured in an exchange of gunfire with the suspect.

































