Delaware Officials Release Statements On Courthouse Shooting - WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's Choice

Delaware Officials Release Statements On Courthouse Shooting

DELAWARE - After Monday morning's court house shooting, many local officials have released statements about the incident.

In light of the shooting, the courthouse will remain closed on Tuesday. All the other courthouses will be open for business as usual. The New Castle County Courthouse is expected to re-open on Wednesday.

For employees, jurors, or other witnesses who desire counseling and help, additional information will be available on the state judiciary's website later today, at http://courts.delaware.gov

Chief Justice Myron T. Steele stated "the violence today has saddened and horrified all of us. I know I can speak for our entire judiciary in thanking the Capitol Police for risking their lives to protect as many of our citizens and employees as they could. Right now, the interests of justice require that we allow law enforcement and the Department of Justice to do their jobs and to have complete control and access to the Courthouse tomorrow. We also want to make sure that the needs of our employees, jurors and witnesses who were present in the Courthouse are met."

Delaware's Lieutenant Governor, Matthew Denn, released the following statement, "we are saddened by and angry about what happened at the New Castle County Courthouse this morning.  This is an active case, so although the Governor and I have both received regular briefings on the investigation, I will defer any comments on that to our law enforcement personnel. I have spoken to both Capitol Police officers who were injured by gunfire today, and both of them are doing well. I had a chance to check on one officer in person, along with his family, down at Christiana Hospital earlier today. The other officer had already been released but I spoke to him on the phone. The Governor has spoken to both officers by phone. We are very grateful to them for their actions today. And our thoughts, of course, are with the families of the victims who did not survive this senseless act of violence."

Congressman John Carney today released the following statement regarding the shooting at the New Castle County Courthouse in Wilmington - "I was shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic events that occurred at the New Castle County Courthouse in Wilmington this morning. In recent months, we have watched in horror as other communities around the country have dealt with gun violence perpetrated in public places against innocent bystanders. I am devastated that this type of attack has now struck the city I call home. As the people of Wilmington cope with the grief of this terrible event, we are given yet another clear and heartbreaking reminder of the need to take necessary steps to prevent gun violence in our state and around the country. This horrific act has taken the lives of two innocent women. I offer my deepest condolences to their families, friends, and colleagues, and I mourn with our community as we try to make sense of this tragedy. Today's shooting also wounded two Capitol Police officers working to protect the people in the courthouse. In the face of grave danger, those officers stood tall and demonstrated why their brave service is so vital to our safety. I will continue to keep them in my prayers as they recover from their injuries."

Today, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) released the following statement in response to the shooting at the New Castle County Courthouse in Wilmington - "Sadly, no community in our country is immune to violence or senseless tragedy. Today, it struck at home. It's impossible to comprehend acts like the shootings that took place today at the Courthouse in Wilmington, but they serve as somber reminders of the need for our leaders in both Dover and Washington to have a thoughtful but urgent conversation about how to address and reduce gun violence in our state and nation. My heart goes out to the friends and families of those killed and wounded today, and I send my deepest thanks to the brave men and women in law enforcement who were there to protect and serve civilians. In the days and weeks ahead, we need to find out what happened here so we can do all we can to prevent it from happening again. But today we grieve for those lost and hurting."

Attorney General Beau Biden made the following statement this afternoon in response to today's shooting at the New Castle County Courthouse - "today's tragic attack was not a random act of violence, but rather the result of a longstanding child custody dispute that has lasted in the Delaware Courts for several years.  Thanks to the bravery of the Capitol Police officers who responded, and were wounded in the process, a greater tragedy was averted.  Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims of this crime and their families."

 Biden reminded the public that anyone who witnessed today's incident and needs to speak to someone to receive counseling or other services should call Delaware State Police Victim Services at 1-800 VICTIM1.