The shooters in a fatal gunfight in Jersey City, New Jersey, intentionally targeted the kosher supermarket in which must of the shootout took place, according to the city’s mayor.
Six people, including one police officer and two suspects, were killed in the gun battle that unfolded Tuesday afternoon. According to reports, the shooting may have started in a cemetery before the shooters fled to a bodega owned by a Jewish family from Brooklyn, New York. Police later found five of the dead inside the store.
While an investigation into the matter is still ongoing, Mayor Steven Fulop indicated that the initial investigation suggests the suspects targeted the market.
BREAKING: Jersey City’s mayor says gunman in today’s deadly standoff were deliberately targeting the Jewish market where it all unfolded.
— Jim Lokay FOX 5 (@LokayFOX5) December 11, 2019
“Based on our initial investigation (which is ongoing) we now believe the active shooters targeted the location they attacked,” he tweeted later that evening. “Due to an excess of caution the community may see additional police resources in the days/weeks ahead. We have no indication there are any further threats.”
Based on our initial investigation (which is ongoing) we now believe the active shooters targeted the location they attacked. Due to an excess of caution the community may see additional police resources in the days/weeks ahead. We have no indication there are any further threats
— Steven Fulop (@StevenFulop) December 11, 2019
On Wednesday morning, he added that a review of CCTV footage confirmed their beliefs. It is unclear if there is an active anti-Semitic hate crime investigation into the incident.
and prevented the perpetrators from leaving that location and harming any further civilians. At this time we have no credible further threats from this incident but out of an abundance of caution we will be increasing our police presence in the community.
— Steven Fulop (@StevenFulop) December 11, 2019
In addition to the slain officer, two other officers were injured and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Three bystanders were killed, and several schools in the area were temporarily placed on lockdown.
Initial reports suggested that the shooting may have been the result of a drug deal gone wrong, but law enforcement officials have since said a drug deal was not involved in the incident. They now believe that 40-year-old Detective Joseph Seals, the officer who was fatally shot, may have been interested in the two suspects in connection to a weekend homicide. Authorities also said the shooting appears to have started as criminal activity with no connection to terrorism.
President Trump shared his condolences in the wake of the tragedy, tweeting, “Just received a briefing on the horrific shootout that took place in Jersey City, NJ. Our thoughts & prayers are w/ the victims & their families during this very difficult & tragic time. We will continue to monitor the situation as we assist local & state officials on the ground.”
Just received a briefing on the horrific shootout that took place in Jersey City, NJ. Our thoughts & prayers are w/ the victims & their families during this very difficult & tragic time. We will continue to monitor the situation as we assist local & state officials on the ground.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2019
