Delaware courthouse shooting leaves 3 dead, including alleged gunman

Three people, including the alleged shooter, are dead in Wilmington, Del., after a gunman opened fire in a courthouse Monday morning, officials said.

Two police officers were injured in the exchange of gunfire and have been hospitalized. The wounds are not considered to be life-threatening, officials told reporters.

“Our thoughts and prayers right now are with the victims of this senseless violence and the Capitol police officers who put their lives on the line to protect the courts and public every day,” Delaware Gov. Jack Markell said in a prepared statement released by his office.

According to officials, the gunman entered New Castle County Courthouse in Wilmington at about 8 a.m. EST and opened fire, Delaware State Police spokesman Sgt. Paul Shavack said at televised news conference from the scene. The shooting began in the courthouse lobby before the gunman would have had to go through metal detectors.

In the exchange of gunfire, two women were killed, Shavack said. The gunman also died, but it was unclear whether he had been shot by authorities or had killed himself.

Shavack said officials were still investigating the relationships among the dead, but Wilmington Mayor Dennis Williams told reporters one of the dead women was the shooter’s estranged wife.

Officials believe the gunman acted alone but were searching the courthouse as a precaution.

ALSO:

Northeast struggles to dig out from massive blizzard

Twister rakes Hattiesburg, University of Southern Mississippi

In Massachusetts, mountains of snow block roads as residents cope