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NEWARK, Del. — At least three people were wounded after a shooting at a Delaware mall on Saturday, authorities said.
In a tweet, the Delaware State Police confirmed that three people were “injured by gunfire” at the Christiana Mall.
Update 10:48 p.m. EDT April 8: The three people injured were taken to the hospital, according to police. Two were reported in critical condition, according to the News Journal of Wilmington reported.
Police said five other people were also injured, but the injuries were not gunshot-related, according to the newspaper.
According to the Delaware State Police, troopers responded to the food court of the Christiana Mall at about 6:45 p.m. EDT, the News Journal reported. Investigators said they believed the shooting occurred after an altercation between an unknown number of suspects and at least one of the gunshot victims.
Original report: The mall was closed and evacuated and police are advising people to avoid the area, the News Journal of Wilmington reported.
We can confirm that there are 3 victims who were injured by gunfire and transported to an area hospital for medical treatment. There are currently no public safety concerns at Christiana Mall and the surrounding area. Please continue to avoid the area as DSP gathers more info.
— Delaware State Police (@DEStatePolice) April 9, 2023
The conditions of the victims were unknown, WPVI-TV reported. They were shot in the food court area of the mall, according to the television station.
“We heard like seven or eight shots, ‘Bam! Bam! Bam!’” Jim Harmon, a gunshot victim who said his shoulder was grazed, told WPVI. “Everybody started running.
“I felt something graze off my shoulder. It’s not bad, but it’s OK.”
David Neff of Elkton, Maryland, said he was at the mall food court with his partner and a friend when he heard gunshots coming from near an area near the Barnes & Noble bookstore and the Chik-fil-A restaurant, the News Journal reported.
“I was definitely scared,” Neff told the newspaper.
According to state police, there is no suspect in custody.
In a tweet, the Delaware Department of Transportation said that all entrances to the mall are currently closed “due to police activity.”
The mall is the largest shopping center in the state, according to Fox News Digital.
NCCo. Traffic Alert: All entrances to Christiana Mall are closed at this time due to police activity. Expect delays in the area. #netde pic.twitter.com/Zx8eAz5tpy
— DelDOT (@DelawareDOT) April 8, 2023
It is unclear what led to the shooting.
This story will be updated.
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