Gunfire erupts during charity event in Wilmington

WILMINGTON, Del. (WPVI) -- Authorities are looking for several suspects who opened fire on a charity event at a park in Wilmington, Delaware.

It happened at 6:00 p.m. Sunday at Haynes Park, located at 32nd and Franklin Streets.

Residents were in the park for a charity basketball game to raise money for Francine Wallace, who was injured in a fatal fire on Bird Street last month.

The woman's sister said that in the middle of the event, a group of young men approached them and started firing.

The bullets did not hit anyone.

There was no immediate word what prompted the gunfire.

Authorities say event organizers did not receive a special events permit from the city. As a result, Police, Fire and EMS were unaware of and therefore not assigned to the event.

After learning of the incident, Mayor Williams issued the following statement:

"Incidents such as the shooting in Haynes Park disrupt the peace and prosperity of Wilmington. To have callous individuals firing weapons in a park, full of children who are simply enjoying their youth is beyond disturbing. My administration has continuously been working to stop this senseless gun violence in the City of Wilmington. Incidents like today's shooting need to be handled with a sense of urgency and that is why I plan on reaching-out to the General Assembly to pass gun legislation that will assist us with getting gun-toting criminals off of our streets."

An investigation is underway.