Police: “Chaotic” After Fight, Shooting at Del. High School

Student, State Trooper taken to hospital after separate incidents

By VINCE LATTANZIO

Updated 12:53 PM EST, Fri, Jan 9, 2009

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Two separate incidents following a boy’s basketball game have landed a student and Delaware State Trooper in the hospital Thursday, according to Delaware State Police.

The first incident began around 8:30 p.m. after a game between William Penn High and Christiana High.

A group of girls got into a fight outside the school. A female State Trooper responded to break up the fight, but fell to the ground during the scuffle, breaking her clavicle bone.

Other officers assisted the woman, taking several girls into custody. All involved are students at William Penn High School. They are expected to be charged, Corporal Jeff Whitmarsh said.

A short time later, someone fired gunshots near the police scene hitting an 18-year-old William Penn student, police said. The teen is being treated at Christiana Hospital.

The student was hit in the side. Both he and the officer involved in the fight were taken to Christiana Hospital. No word on their conditions.

Corporal Jeff Whitmarsh of Delaware State Police called the scene Thursday night chaotic with troopers diving to the ground after hearing the gunshots.

“[The shooting incident] was on the other side of the parking lot. What occurred in this particular case was that when the shot rang out, the troopers out here heard it and everybody hit the ground. In the mean time, everyone starts to scatter. Cars start peeling wheels, taking off out of the parking lot. I mean it was just chaotic in front of the school tonight,” Whitmarsh said.

Police say there is no evidence at this time to suggest that the shooting and fight were related. They are investigating both incidents.

There will be increased security at the high school Friday because of the incident, police said.