Three Killed In Delaware Courthouse Shooting

Three people have been killed in a shooting at a courthouse in Delaware, including the shooter, authorities said.

Delaware State Police Sergeant Paul Shavack confirmed the suspected gunman and two women died in the shooting at the New Castle County Courthouse in Wilmington.

Two police officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries, he said.

Wilmington Mayor Dennis Williams said in a telephone interview that one of the women killed was the shooter's estranged wife, but Sgt Shavack said police had not confirmed that was the case.

A motive for the shooting was still to be determined but Sgt Shavack said it was not a random shooting.

Police said officers exchanged gunfire with the shooter in courthouse's lobby before he passed metal detectors.

Sgt Shavack did not say whether the shooter killed the two women or whether they were killed in the gunfight. He also did not say how the shooter died.

Dozens of police cars and emergency vehicles were on the streets surrounding the courthouse in the hours after the shooting, and police were searching the courthouse room by room as a precaution.

Jose Beltran, 53, a court employee who works in the building, was entering the lobby when he heard two shots. He said he turned around and ran.

"It happened so fast," he said, adding he heard three or more shots as he ran.