Courthouse Shooting in Lobby Leaves Three Dead in Delaware, Details
A gunman opened fire on Monday morning in a Delaware courthouse lobby shortly after the building was opened to the public, according to authorities.
The suspect was said to have exchanged gunshots with police, which left three people dead, including himself.
"It happened so fast," Jose Beltran, 53, a New Castle County Courthouse employee, told ABC News.
Beltran was heading toward the building lobby when he heard two gunshots fired. He said that he turned and heard three more shots when he began running.
Delaware State Police Sgt. Paul Shavack said the suspected gunman and two women were pronounced dead. The mayor of the city said that one of the women shot dead was the estranged wife of the shooter, but police have still not confirmed the claim.
Wilmington Mayor Dennis Williams said a telephone interview that he was told the gunman shot and killed his own wife, and started firing shots prior to passing the metal detectors in the lobby. Shavack added that the he felt the shooting wasn't a random occurrence but the motive has yet to be determined.
Chick Chinski, 62, of Middletown stated that he was headed inside the courthouse to serve jury duty when he heard the gunfire.
"It didn't sound like gunfire first at all," he said, also saying that he saw the gunman pointing his firearm.
He went on to say that the shooter specifically targeted the two women whom he shot as they were standing in the middle of the lobby.
"Absolutely. It's right what he went after when he come in the door. That's exactly what he did instantly," Chinski added.
Chinski shared an elevator with the gunman and other people from the parking garage nearby, and said that the gunman was quiet and didn't appear upset.
