Teen killed, another seriously injured after shooting outside Concord Mall in Wilmington

WILMINGTON, Del. (CBS) – A 16-year-old was killed and another teenager remains in serious condition following a shooting outside the Concord Mall in Wilmington, Delaware, Saturday evening.

Delaware State Police said officers responded to the mall parking lot on Concord Pike on May 11 around 10:45 p.m. At the crime scene they found two teenagers who had been shot, a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old.

Both were taken to a nearby hospital, where the 16-year-old was pronounced dead. Police said the elderly victim remained in “serious condition.”

Police said in a news release Sunday that they believe a fight broke out between a group of people near the entrance to a carnival being held in the parking lot. The LEAD Fest Carnival, which stands for Law Enforcement Against Drugs and Violence, opens on Friday, May 3rd and runs until Sunday, May 19th.

Delaware State Police said during the fight, an “unknown suspect” pulled out a gun and fired several shots before fleeing the scene.

LEAD is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to educating children and communities about the dangers of drugs, crime and violence, according to its website. In a Facebook post on Sunday, LEAD said organizers are working with the Delaware State Police as they continue their investigation.

“We were saddened to learn of the unfortunate incident in the parking lot outside the LEAD Fest Carnival at Concord Mall following the conclusion of the event on Saturday evening. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected,” the post says. “As those who attend our family-oriented events know, LEAD has strict security measures in place to ensure a safe environment at our carnivals.”

Organizers said they would work with Concord Mall management and the DSP to establish additional security patrols around the fairgrounds.

The carnival will be closed on Sunday evening due to the weather, but will reopen on Monday, May 13th at 5pm

DSP did not provide a description of the suspected shooter but asked anyone with information about the shooting to contact Detective B. McDerby at 302-741-2729. Tips can also be sent to Delaware State Police via private Facebook message or through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.