UPDATE — ELLENDALE: NINE PEOPLE WERE SHOT SATURDAY NIGHT. A 17-YEAR-OLD GIRL FROM SEAFORD IS DEAD.

UPDATE — ELLENDALE: NINE PEOPLE WERE SHOT SATURDAY NIGHT. A 17-YEAR-OLD GIRL FROM SEAFORD IS DEAD.

This morning we told you State Police hadn't said whether anyone was hurt — and we promised to update you the second they did. They have. And it's worse than anybody hoped.

Delaware State Police released the official account at 1:45 PM today. Around 10:00 PM Saturday, during an outdoor party in the 18000 block of Beach Highway in Ellendale, an unknown suspect opened fire from a neighboring property into the crowd.

Nine people were hit:

• A 17-year-old girl from Seaford died at the hospital. Her name is being withheld until her family is notified.
• A 20-year-old man from Seaford is in life-threatening condition, listed as stable.
• Seven more were hurt, none with life-threatening injuries: 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 DSP Homicide Unit is investigating. No suspect has been named.

Somebody at that party — or on that road — saw something. If that somebody is you:
Detective B. McDerby — (302) 741-2821
Delaware Crime Stoppers — (800) 847-3333
Victims and families who need support: Delaware Victim Services — 1-800-VICTIM-1

Delaware Online is reporting the same State Police facts. When DSP names a suspect or releases more, you'll read it here.

Our hearts are with that young lady's family tonight, and with every family that got a phone call no one should ever get.

Photo: Beach Highway (Route 16) in Ellendale (file photo — Wikimedia Commons / Dough4872, CC BY-SA 4.0)

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