State, city team up after Delaware soccer shooting deaths

Following a deadly shootout at a Wilmington soccer game on Sunday, state and city leaders say they’re working together to stop the violence.

Three people are dead after the gunfire started at Eden Park in Wilmington’s Southbridge section Sunday afternoon.  The deaths over the weekend follow an outbreak of gun violence earlier this summer when three people were shot and killed within a 24 hour period in early June.

In response to public outcry over the deaths, the Wilmington Police Department has announced plans to improve the way it shares intelligence information about crimes and suspects with the Delaware Statewide Intelligence Database.  The city will also coordinate undercover operations with help from the state.  Police say investigators will focus their initial work on violent offenders who are a significant threat to the community.

In an effort to keep young people occupied during the summer and out of trouble, community center hours and activities are expanding.  Those centers include Hilltop Lutheran Neighborhood Center, West End Neighborhood House, Latin American Community Center, Clarence Fraim Boys & Girls Club, Police Athletic League of Wilmington, Walnut Street YMCA, Girls Inc’s Dennison Branch, Neighborhood House and Hicks Anderson Community Center.