1 dead, 6 injured in Union Chick-fil-A shooting

By Alvin Wu
Domestic Affairs
1 dead, 6 injured in Union Chick-fil-A shooting

Undated photo of the Chick-fil-A restaurant in Union, New Jersey. CHICK-FIL-A/Website

UNION, N.J., April 14 (ZFJ) — One person is dead and six people are injured after a shooting at the Chick-fil-A on Route 22 in Union, New Jersey, on Saturday, April 11.

The Union Police Department (UPD) responded to the restaurant at about 9:00 p.m. for a report of a shooting, according to a statement from the Union County Prosecutor’s Office (UCPO).

Responding officers found seven victims in total. A customer, Malek Shepherd, 23, of New York City, was pronounced deceased. The remaining six victims were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Police say that, according to their preliminary investigation, the incident does not appear to be a random act of violence, and there is no immediate ongoing threat to the general public. No suspects have been arrested yet in connection with the incident.

Governor Mikie Sherrill said in a statement that she had been briefed on the shooting and offered her condolences to the victims.

“As local law enforcement continues their investigation, we remain in close contact with officials on the ground,” Sherrill said. “My thoughts are with those who were injured in the shooting, and with their families.”

The UCPO Homicide Task Force is leading the investigation, and the UPD is assisting the case.

The investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Edward Mack of the UCPO Homicide Task Force at (908) 347-2212, Sergeant Jennifer Smith of the UCPO Homicide Task Force at (908) 759-8254, or Detective Teon Freeman of the Union Police Department at (908) 851-5033. Tips can also be submitted anonymously by phone at (908) 654-TIPS (8477) or online at www.uctip.org and, if resulting in an indictment and conviction, can be eligible for a reward of up to $10,000 from the Union County Crime Stoppers.

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