A mass shooting at a house party with hundreds of guests leaves 2 dead and 12 others shot
A house party packed with hundreds of guests devolved into chaos when gunfire erupted, killing at least two people and wounding a dozen more.
Kevin Elliot, 30, and Asia Hester, 25, both of Bridgerton, New Jersey, were killed in the shooting, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said.
At least 12 more people were shot in the melee on East Commerce Street in Fairfield Township around 11:50 p.m. Saturday.
Cooper University Hospital in Camden said it received six victims from a shooting at a home in Cumberland County.
It’s not clear how many victims in total were taken from the scene to area hospitals.
One person was arrested Sunday and charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, fourth-degree unlawful possession of a large-capacity magazine, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and certain persons not to have a weapon in the second degree, Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae.
She did not say whether the man is suspected of being directly involved in the shooting.
Grewal said that during the course of their investigation, investigators found that this incident was a “targeted attack,” and “not a random act of violence.”
No information was provided on how many people they believe were involved or what the motive was.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy urged the public to help law enforcement with any information.
“Since late last night, the New Jersey State Police and county and local law enforcement in Cumberland County have been investigating the horrific mass shooting at a large house party in Fairfield Township that attracted hundreds of party-goers,” Murphy said in a statement Sunday.
“At this time, at least two people have lost their lives, among numerous other shooting victims, including several with injuries that are life-threatening. We hold those who have died, and their families, in our prayers today, and we also pray for the recoveries of those injured. We are grateful for the swift response of law enforcement and stand with them as they continue their investigation,” he said.
“Let there be no mistake: This despicable and cowardly act of gun violence only steels our commitment to ensuring New Jersey leads the nation in passing and enforcing strong and commonsense gun safety laws. No community should ever experience what occurred last night in Fairfield.”
Across the street from the house, the Rev. Michael Keene, of Trinity AME Church, said he initially thought fireworks were going off.
“I just started hearing at first what I thought was fireworks, it was really gunshots, and I heard nine in rapid succession,” Keene told CNN affiliate WPVI.
“If you’re going to a party, why do you need to take a gun?” he asked. “If you’re there to have a good time why do you need a gun with you? That means you’re expecting trouble to me.”
