One person was killed and six others injured on Saturday night during a shooting at a Chick-fil-A in New Jersey.
Authorities responded to the incident around 9 p.m. and discovered seven victims, with six sustaining non-life-threatening injuries, as per the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.
A group of masked gunmen reportedly entered the restaurant in Union Township, located about 27 miles west of New York City, and began firing multiple rounds, injuring employees and customers. Surveillance footage revealed a masked individual fleeing the scene, while others were seen scrambling for safety.
Family members of a worker indicated that an altercation preceded the violence. In audio released by local news, a 911 dispatcher reported that a witness was found unconscious, having been shot once in the face and several times in the leg.
The father of one employee mentioned that his son had called him in distress, explaining that several masked individuals had taken over the restaurant. He described the atmosphere as chaotic, likening it to a “battlefield.”
A Lyft driver who was in the vicinity noted hearing at least seven gunshots as he wrapped up a nearby trip.
The investigation into the incident is still active, with no arrests made so far. Prosecutors have indicated that initial findings suggest the shooting was not a random act, and there is currently “no immediate and continuing threat to the public.”
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill issued a statement on the shooting.
“Last night’s shooting in Union Township tragically took one life and left six others injured,” she said. “Our hearts go out to the victims’ families, and we wish for a swift recovery for those injured.”
New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport shared her shock on social media about the incident.
“We are horrified by last night’s shooting in Union Township. Local law enforcement, led by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, is currently investigating this event,” she expressed, adding that gun violence should not happen in the state.
She continued to emphasize appreciation for law enforcement’s ongoing efforts and reiterated that preliminary investigations do not point to this being a random attack and confirm that there is no immediate threat to public safety.
