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Three dead in Delaware courthouse shooting Three dead in Delaware courthouse shooting
(about 4 hours later)
Two women have been killed in a shoot-out that also left a gunman dead at a court in the US state of Delaware, police said. Two women have been killed in a shoot-out that also left a gunman dead and two police officers wounded at a courthouse in the US state of Delaware, police have said.
Officers exchanged fire with the armed man after he began shooting before passing metal detectors in the lobby of the court in Wilmington. Officers exchanged fire with the armed man in the lobby of the courthouse in Wilmington after he began shooting.
The city's mayor said one of the victims was the attacker's estranged wife. The city's mayor said one victim was the attacker's estranged wife.
America's latest shooting comes amid a White House push to tighten gun laws. Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden said that the shooting was the result of a custody dispute.
Police did not say if the two women were killed by the shooter or in cross-fire with police. Nor is it clear how the gunman died. "It's developed out of a long - over the course of many years - custody dispute in the courts of this state,'' he said at an afternoon press conference.
Two police officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries, said Delaware State Police Sergeant Paul Shavack. Police did not say if the two women were killed by the shooter or in a cross-fire with police. Nor is it clear how the gunman died.
Dozens of police cars and emergency vehicles surrounded New Castle County Court, which was evacuated during Monday morning's incident. Two police officers are expected to survive their injuries, said Delaware State Police Sgt Paul Shavack.
"It happened so fast,'' said Jose Beltran, an employee at the New Castle County Courthouse.
Mr Beltran was entering the lobby of the courthouse shortly after 08:00 local time (13:00 GMT) when he heard two shots. He said he heard at least three more shots as he ran.
Chick Chinski told the Associated Press news agency it seemed that the shooter aimed at the two women as they stood in the middle of the lobby.
"It didn't sound like gunfire first at all,'' Mr Chinski said.
Sgt Shavack said the gunman opened fire before passing through lobby metal detectors.
Dozens of police cars and emergency vehicles surrounded the courthouse, which was evacuated after Monday morning's incident. Police searched the courthouse room by room as a precaution.
Court officials said the building would be closed on Tuesday for investigation and repairs.
"The violence today has saddened and horrified all of us,'' Delaware Chief Justice Myron Steele said.
"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.''