Ellendale, Delaware: Girl, 17, Killed and Eight Others Shot at Halloween Night Party

A 17-year-old girl from Seaford was killed and eight other people were wounded on Halloween night in Ellendale, Delaware, when someone opened fire into an outdoor party from a neighboring property, Delaware State Police said. Troopers responded at about 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 31, to the 18000 block of Beach Highway in Ellendale, in Sussex County, and found multiple victims with gunshot wounds. The preliminary investigation found that during the party, an unknown suspect fired from the neighboring property into the crowd, striking nine people.

The victims

The 17-year-old girl was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening gunshot injuries, where she died. Her name is being withheld until her family can be notified, police said. A 20-year-old man from Seaford was also taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries and is in stable condition. Seven other people were taken to hospitals with injuries that were not life-threatening: two 17-year-old boys from Selbyville, a 19-year-old woman from Ellendale, a 20-year-old woman from Seaford, a 20-year-old woman from Greenwood, a 20-year-old man from Seaford and a 22-year-old woman from Laurel.

The scene and the investigation

Delaware Online reported that the apparent scene was an empty lot next to the New Hope Recreation and Development Center, near North Old State Road and Beach Highway, where a shed, piles of dirt, a white event tent and a small tiki bar could be seen on Sunday morning. The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit is investigating. Police have not identified a suspect and have announced no arrests. Detectives urge anyone who attended the party or has information about the shooting to contact Detective B. McDerby at (302) 741-2821. Information can also be given to Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333.

One of two Delaware shootings that night

Ellendale was one of two Halloween night shootings in Delaware. About an hour after the Ellendale gunfire, six people were shot on East Main Street in Newark, near the University of Delaware campus, in a separate incident that led the university to suspend Monday classes. Governor Matt Meyer issued one statement on both shootings on Sunday, November 1. "Today, people in Newark and Ellendale are facing pain and fear that no one should have to endure. My heart is with those injured, their loved ones and every Delawarean who has been impacted by these tragedies," he said. Meyer praised the law enforcement officers and emergency workers who responded to both scenes. State police said the Ellendale investigation is active, and detectives are still asking partygoers to come forward.