Horror struck during the Halloween festivities near several US college campuses, with six separate shooting incidents killing three people and injuring dozens of others.
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Police said that at least six were wounded near the University of Delaware after a gunman opened fire in a crowded stretch of downtown Newark, Delaware. The incident occurred around 11 PM, authorities confirmed.
Witnesses said that gunfire sent cosplayers scattering in different directions.
"People were running, screaming. They had helicopters in the sky flashing lights on people," witness Jayden Ngalim told NBC Philadelphia.
"The people were speeding down the road. It got chaotic like quick," he added.
Shootings Break Out at Multiple College Campuses
Near Michigan State University, five people were wounded in two separate shooting incidents.
Metro Detroit News reported that a man dressed as horror movie villain Mike Myers opened fire, wounding one person. Another shooting incident occurred near campus around 12:30 AM. Police have not determined if the two incidents are connected.
Further down south, nine people were shot and one was killed in a shooting after the Magic City Classic in Birmingham, Alabama on Saturday night, according to WBRC 6 News.
Birmingham Police Chief Michael Pickett called the shooting a "senseless act of violence" and also thanked those who assisted at the scene.
"Everyone knows this is the largest event we have here in the city and it's extremely taxing on our personnel. Other leaders in law enforcement recognize that. They quickly offered up support and we are grateful for that quick response."
Pickett continued, "I'll end with this. Our Birmingham police officers are true heroes. They are true heroes. Seeing the courage and resilience they displayed tonight, running alongside them in the direction of those gunshots, triaging people as we pass by them going in the direction of the shots to make sure they weren't injured, or if they were injured rendering aid as we continue toward the gunfire.. that shows true courage.
"That shows the true dedication they have to actually saving lives. And I'm thankful that all of our police officers as well of others who were assistance are able to go home to their families tonight."
The National Retail Federation revealed that participation for Halloween is at an all-time high this year. Roughly 74 percent of Americans engaged in the ghoulish holiday.
According to the agency, 69 percent of Americans participated in Halloween in 2016.
