An argument in a Bear shopping center turned violent Thursday, leaving a 19-year-old with a gunshot wound, according to a New Castle County Police release.

The shooting happened in the parking lot of the Rivers End Plaza.

At about 3:40 p.m., two groups of people began arguing. The argument escalated into gunfire, and the 19-year-old was shot in the lower torso, police said.

He was taken to an area hospital for non-life threatening injuries, police said.

By 5 p.m., what appeared to be four bullet casings were found near the entrance of the parking lot. Two other bullet casings were found in the middle of the parking lot located by a car with a damaged window.

Anita Santiago, an employee at Anita's Animal Antics in the shopping center, did not witness the shooting, but said she heard six to eight gunshots.

Police had blocked access to the other businesses in the shopping center, located off Rivers End Drive.

Police did not allow anyone to enter or leave the businesses while interviewing witnesses on the scene.

Police ask anyone with information about the investigation to contact Detective Kevin Mackie at 302-395-8133.

Contact Nick Perez at (302) 324-2856, nperez@delawareonline.com or on Twitter @nickdnperez. Contact Brandon Holveck at (302) 324-2267, bholveck@delawareonline.com or on Twitter @holveck_brandon.

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