A mass shooting at a Chick-fil-A restaurant in Union Township, New Jersey, on Saturday night left one person dead and six others injured, authorities said. The incident occurred at around 9pm on the 2300 block of Route 22.
The Union County Prosecutor's Office stated that the deceased was pronounced dead at the scene, while the six injured victims were treated for non-life-threatening wounds. No arrests have been made, but the preliminary investigation suggests the shooting was not a random act of violence and there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Witnesses reported that multiple masked individuals entered the restaurant and opened fire, causing dozens of patrons to flee. A rideshare driver nearby described hearing seven shots. Dashboard camera footage appeared to show a man running from the scene with a pistol.
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill said she had been briefed on the shooting and was in contact with local officials. Union Township Mayor Patricia Guerra-Frazier expressed the community's shock, stating, 'This tragedy is a painful reminder of the work that remains to ensure the safety of our communities.'
The Gun Violence Archive recorded this as the 100th mass shooting in the US this year, defining a mass shooting as an incident with four or more victims wounded or killed. The US continues to face high numbers of such incidents compared to other high-income countries.
