Christiana Mall turned into a sea of first responders Saturday night when gunfire broke out at the shopping center known for drawing visitors throughout the region.
Delaware State Police continued to release information throughout the evening Saturday as people left the mall or tried to reach family members and friends who were locked down inside.
Here’s what we know about what happened − and what still needs to be answered.
FULL STORY:Christiana Mall evacuated as police confirm 3 shot Saturday night; suspect not in custody
Was there actually a shooting?
Yes. Delaware State Police confirmed that they were called to the mall about 6:45 p.m. for a report of a shooting in the food court.
What do we know about the three victims?
Police said that one victim was stable, while two others were critically injured. All three were taken to an area hospital for treatment of their injuries.
Was anyone else injured?
Yes, police said five others were injured during the incident but did not provide specifics on their injuries and said they were not gunshot-related.
Did police find the shooter(s)?
As of Saturday night, police said no suspects were in custody, but noted that investigators were working to identify them. Police said people were taken into custody Saturday but said their involvement was not known and that they were going to be interviewed.
Police searched and cleared the mall Saturday night and added that there was no threat to the public.
Do police know what caused the shooting?
Cpl. Jason Hatchell said police do not believe the shooting was random in nature.
He said at a press conference Saturday night that investigators believe the shooting was a result of an altercation between an unknown number of suspects and at least one of the gunshot victims.
What happened to people inside the mall when gunfire broke out?
Many people began running, according to several people who spoke with Delaware Online/The News Journal. Others were barricaded inside stores or ushered by employees into storage areas to hide while police investigated.
What prompted the traffic jam?
Dozens of police vehicles and first responders packed the mall parking lot, lining up with lights flashing along the portion of the mall perimeter between Nordstrom and Target. The surge in first responders left Mall Road gridlocked and eventually closed to traffic.
Additionally, police closed the exit ramps to the mall to limit the number of people coming into the area.
Will the mall be open Easter Sunday?
According to Christiana Mall’s website, the mall will be closed on Sunday. It appears the mall was already planning to be closed in observance of the holiday.
The incident Saturday night prompted the mall to evacuate and close for the rest of the evening.
If you left property behind at the mall, police said you can contact mall management directly to reclaim it.
Did you see anything that could help police?
Anyone with information can contact Delaware State Police Troop 2 at (302) 365-8428 or Crimestoppers at (800) 847-3333.
