Violence characterizes mall festivals in Delaware, Pennsylvania; Teenager dead

Two festivals outside malls were marred by violence over the weekend, with a shooting at one of them leaving one teenager dead and another critically injured.

A 16-year-old was killed after a fight broke out outside a carnival at the Concord Mall in Wilmington, Delaware, around 10:45 p.m. Saturday, Delaware State Police said. Officers performed life-saving measures on both teens before they were taken to the hospital, but one could not be saved, WCAU-TV reported. A 17-year-old was reportedly in serious condition.

“A preliminary investigation indicates that a fight occurred between several individuals near the entrance to a carnival that was located in the parking lot,” Delaware State Police said in a statement. “It turned out that during the fight, an unknown suspect pulled out a gun and fired several shots, hitting the two teenagers. The suspect fled the scene in an unknown direction.”

As of Sunday evening, no one had been arrested.

While that festival was ongoing, another at Exton Square Mall, about 30 miles west of Philadelphia, was shut down entirely after organizers had their permit revoked after the attack was caught on a business’s surveillance camera.

“Due to the out-of-control behavior and unrest, the Exton Square Mall Carnival is closed. Indefinitely,” festival sponsor Goodtime Amusements said in a brief statement. “We appreciate the families who came to have fun with their families.”

The carnival was originally scheduled to last until May 18, WCAU reported. According to surveillance video shared by the West Whiteland Police Department, the attack occurred after the carnival ended for the evening. The footage showed “a man with long hair being punched and kicked several times,” police said.

“There are multiple witnesses to this attack and we are seeking assistance in identifying the victim, witnesses and suspect,” the department said.