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3 Dead, 2 Officers Wounded In Delaware Courthouse Shooting

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WILMINGTON, Del. (CBS) – Three people were killed, including the suspected gunman, after a gunfight erupted inside the lobby of the New Castle County Courthouse Monday morning. Two Capitol police officers were wounded during the shootout.

The shooting happened at about 8 a.m. Monday at the Courthouse building in the 500 block of N. King Street.

According to investigators, the alleged gunman, approximately 50-60 years of age, entered the lobby of the courthouse, pulled out a gun and opened fire — targeting his victim.

VIEW: Images From The Scene

According to police, a woman and a second unidentified female were shot and killed by the gunman. Wilmington Mayor Dennis Williams says the suspected gunman was then killed.

One of the victims has been identified as 39-year-old Christine Belford of Newark, Delaware (see related story).

Two Capitol police officers were wounded during the shootout and were taken to Christiana Hospital with non-life threatening injuries where they were treated and released.

Courthouse Shooting 4

Authorities believe the gunman acted alone, but they searched all 12 floors of the courthouse as a part of the investigation. Although the motive for the shooting remains under investigation, Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden said during an afternoon news conference that it was not a random act and according to preliminary information, appears to have been the result of a custody dispute that has lasted in the courts for several years.

Delaware Governor Jack Markell, who is currently out of the country, released the following statement regarding the deadly Courthouse shooting:

“First, I want to express my deepest condolences to the victims of this shooting. Second, I want to express my appreciation to all of those from the law enforcement community who have been working so hard today. A short while ago, I spoke with each of the Capitol Police officers who were shot. I thank God that they are both doing OK. I let them know how grateful we are for that and how much we appreciate their outstanding service to the citizens of our state. I have also spoken today with Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security Schiliro, State Police Superintendent McQueen, and Capitol Police Chief Jopp. I am grateful to them and their personnel for all they are doing. While this shooting is notable for the fact that it took place inside a state courthouse, there are some aspects of this incident that are, unfortunately, all too common. I am saddened that two more brave members of our law enforcement community have been injured in the line of duty. I am also saddened that this appears to be another example of a domestic situation that turned deadly. So while there is much focus on this incident today because of the circumstances, it should not detract from our focus on domestic violence or from our appreciation and apprehension for the thousands of men and women in law enforcement who take chances on our behalf every day.”

Police are urging any eyewitnesses to the shooting to call: 302-834-2620 Ext 0.

Police also say that anyone who witnessed the events and needs counseling can call the Delaware State Police Victim Center at 1-800 VICTIM1 or 1-800-842-8461. Counselors will be available on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Goodstay Center of the University of Delaware located at 2600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Wilmington.

While the investigation continues, the New Castle County Courthouse will remain closed Tuesday.

Chief Justice Myron T. Steele released a statement that read in part:

“The violence today has saddened and horrified all of us. I know I can speak for our entire judiciary in thanking the Capitol Police for risking their lives to protect as many of our citizens and employees as they could. Right now, the interests of justice require that we allow law enforcement and the Department of Justice to do their jobs and to have complete control and access to the Courthouse tomorrow. We also want to make sure that the needs of our employees, jurors and witnesses who were present in the Courthouse are met.”

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  • http://www.denewsfeed.com/delaware-courthouse-shooting-3-shot-shooter-dead-in-new-castle-county/ Delaware Courthouse Shooting: 3 Shot, Shooter Dead in New Castle County … | Delaware News Feed

    [...] Three shooting victims were transported to Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del., according to CBS Philadelphia. [...]

  • http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2013/02/12/police-in-delaware-continue-investigation-into-deadly-courthouse-shooting/ Police In Delaware Continue Investigation Into Deadly Courthouse Shooting « CBS Philly

    [...] WILMINGTON, Del. (CBS) – The New Castle County Courthouse remain closed Tuesday, a day after three people, including the gunman, were killed during a shootout in the building’s lobby. Two Capitol police officers were wounded during the shootout. (See Related Story) [...]

  • http://www.moddedmustangs.com/forums/politics/292730-councilman-asks-man-turn-his-weapon-look-what-happens-next.html#post5111779 Councilman asks Man to Turn in His Weapon… Look what Happens Next!

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  • http://extractpc.info/?p=34456 "Gunfight" in Delaware courthouse kills 3 | My Blog

    [...] to CBS affiliate KYW-TV in Philadelphia, Mayor Williams said the suspect’s estranged wife and a second unidentified [...]

  • http://arcadeh.com/archives/post/2013/02/11/gunfight-in-delaware-courthouse-kills-3-cbs-news/ Arcadeh.com » “Gunfight” in Delaware courthouse kills 3 – CBS News

    [...] to CBS affiliate KYW-TV in Philadelphia, Mayor Williams said the suspect’s estranged wife and a second unidentified [...]

  • http://guncrisis.org/2013/02/11/details-emerge-in-delaware-couthouse-shooting/ Details emerge in Delaware couthouse shooting | #GunCrisis: Philadelphia

    [...] media reports: CBS3: 3 Dead, 2 Officers Wounded In Delaware Courthouse Shooting 6ABC: 3 dead in Wilmington courthouse shooting NBC10: Gunman Opened Fire the Moment He Walked In: [...]

  • http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2013/02/11/sources-delaware-courthouse-shooting-suspect-identified-as-david-t-matusiewicz/ Sources: Delaware Courthouse Shooting Suspect Identified As David T. Matusiewicz « CBS Philly

    [...] (CBS) – Sources identify the lone gunman in the Delaware Courthouse shooting as David T. Matusiewicz of Middletown, [...]

  • http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2013/02/11/sources-delaware-courthouse-gunman-identified-as-david-t-matusiewicz/ Sources: Delaware Courthouse Gunman Identified As David T. Matusiewicz « CBS Philly

    [...] (CBS) – Sources identify the lone gunman in the Delaware Courthouse shooting as David T. Matusiewicz of Middletown, [...]

  • http://www.wibblepost.com/3-people-died-in-delaware-courthouse-after-gunman-opened-fire/ 3 People died in Delaware courthouse after gunman opened fire | Wibble Post | Top Stories – Latest World News

    [...] Wilmington. Officials described the situation as a “gunfight,” reports CBS affiliate KYW-TV in Philadelphia.” Read Full [...]

  • http://www.denewsfeed.com/new-castle-county-courthouse-shooting-delaware-police-say-multiple-shots/ New Castle County Courthouse Shooting: Delaware Police Say Multiple Shots … | Delaware News Feed

    [...] Several shooting victims were transported to Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del., according to CBS Philadelphia. [...]

  • http://dailynewshound.com/?p=2413 Multiple people shot in Delaware courthouse | News As It Happens

    [...] to Wilmington Mayor Dennis Williams’ office, the shooter is deceased, reports CBS affiliate KYW-TV in Philadelphia. The Associated Press reports the mayor said the alleged shooter was killed by [...]

  • http://www.inquisitr.com/518551/3-wounded-in-delaware-courthouse-shooting-suspect-dead/ 3 Wounded In Delaware Courthouse Shooting, Suspect Dead

    [...] said two women and a man were shot at New Castle County Courthouse at around 8 am. According to CBS Philadelphia, one of the people injured during the shooting was a security guard. The victims were taken to an [...]

  • http://gotonews.wordpress.com/2013/02/11/new-castle-county-courthouse-shooting-delaware-police-say-multiple-shots-fired/ New Castle County Courthouse Shooting: Delaware Police Say Multiple Shots Fired « Go to News!

    [...] The shooting victims were transported to Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del., according to CBS Philadelphia. [...]

  • http://forum.pafoa.org/general-2/205952-breaking-news-02-11-13-wilmington-de-courthouse-shooting.html#post2291063 Breaking news 02/11/13 Wilmington DE courthouse shooting

    [...] Re: Breaking news 02/11/13 Wilmington DE courthouse shooting According to this it's three total, and one is a security card, not a LEO. http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/201…on-courthouse/ [...]

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