WSFS exec killed by stray bullet in Wilmington

A senior vice president at WSFS Bank was on her way home from the bank’s Wilmington headquarters, seen here, when she was struck by a stray bullet. She died less than three days later. | DBT PHOTO BY JACOB OWENS

WILMINGTON – A senior vice president for WSFS Bank was killed after being struck by a stray bullet in an early evening shooting just a few blocks from the bank’s headquarters as she was reportedly commuting home.

Carrie Mondell, 37, who served as WSFS’ senior vice president and director of operational risk management, was struck by a bullet at about 4:50 p.m. Aug. 16 in the 700 block of North Washington Street, a popular north-south route that leads to Interstate 95 from the bank’s 500 Delaware Ave. offices, according to the Wilmington Police Department.

She was initially transported to the hospital in critical condition, along with a 22-year-old man who was also struck. Police have not identified that man, but The News Journal reported that he was standing near the intersection of Seventh and Washington streets when he was struck, according to witnesses. The bullet reportedly went through Mondell’s passenger-side window and struck her as she was driving.

Less than 72 hours later, WPD reported that Mondell had succumbed to her injuries.

The shooting remains under investigation, police said. No assailant has been apprehended as of Monday. 

On Friday, Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki said the killing marred progress in the reduced number of violent crimes in the city this year. Mondell is the 12th person killed by gunfire this year, with 63 other people wounded, reductions of 50% and 40% year-to-date over 2021, respectively, according to News Journal statistics.

“After a year of the lowest amount of violent crime in recent memory, this latest shooting incident is another painful reminder of how much work lies before us to reduce the gun violence that has gripped our nation. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to apprehend the perpetrators of these senseless crimes caused by illegal gun use and remove them once and for all from our streets and neighborhoods. While it is no solace to the grieving families, I am confident that by employing the best strategies we will continue to reduce the scourge of violence in our city,” Purzycki said in a statement.

On Friday, WSFS CEO, President and Chairman Rodger Levenson said the bank was “devastated” by the death of Mondell.

“It’s impossible to put into words the grief and shock we all feel. She was a caring and passionate person who served WSFS for more than 14 years. Carrie loved and supported her family and many friends.  At this time, we ask to respect the privacy of the family and our Associates as they grieve this tragic loss,” he said in a statement.

The shooting of Mondell occurred the same day that a roundtable of legislators, prosecutors, law enforcement and activists convened to discuss gun violence and reform efforts in Delaware. Purzycki and WPD Chief Robert Tracy were scheduled to attend that discussion along with Attorney General Kathy Jennings, U.S. Sen. Tom Carper and U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, among many others.

On Tuesday, Gov. John Carney expressed his condolences to Mondell’s family and her WSFS colleagues.

“It’s clear from the stories people are sharing that Carrie Mondell was a kind person who cared about her family, friends, and her colleagues. It is just horrendous how her life was cut short. Our hearts continue to be with the Mondell family, and the WSFS community,” Carney said in a statement to Delaware Business Times. “I keep playing this tragic event over and over in my head, and it is a reminder of how precious life is. Delaware workers should expect to get home safely, and to live in our city safely. We must redouble our efforts to assure this promise.”

According to an obituary, Mondell was a Newark native who graduated from Christiana High School and the University of Delaware.

A GoFundMe account has been established to support Mondell’s 6-year-old son who she is survived by, according to friends. As of Aug. 30, it has raised more than $29,000, surpassing a goal of $25,000.

“Carrie was a beam of light and love in everyone’s life that knew her. She was an incredible mother who would do anything for her son, friends and family. Unfortunately, she was tragically taken too soon from this world,” the organizer wrote in the GoFundMe.