Two people have been killed and nine others wounded after a gunman opened fire at a neighborhood cookout in Trenton, New Jersey, in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The shooting transpired after a ‘large, unauthorized adult gathering’ of about 200 people, according to a statement from the Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora.
Police were called to 194 Locust Street and Chamber street intersection at around 12.25am, following reports of large scale gunfire, with multiple victims found suffering from gunshot wounds after officers arrived.
Trenton Police had an entrance to Capital Health Regional Medical Center, about two-miles away from the scene of the shooting, cordoned off and a vehicle that was parked at emergency room entrance to the facility was seen being towed away. According to NBC the vehicle had visible damage.
Concerned family and friends of the victims stationed outside the hospital told NBC10 that people had gotten together for a neighborhood get-together and cookout before the shooting began by one of the attendees after an argument escalated.
One woman was waiting for news of her nephew who had been shot. She told NBC10 that she had driven him to the hospital but he has since been transferred to Cooper Health in Camden.
According to the mayor’s recent statement one victim who was killed had been trying to to rebuild his life after returning home from prison.
At the scene, investigators were seen placing nearly 40 evidence markers along the road.
Trenton Police were called to the 100 block of Locust Street at around 12.25am following reports of gunfire. Two have been confirmed dead whilst the total of those injured continues to be established
Victim’s families waited anxiously outside Capital Health Regional Medical Center for updates on the condition of their loved ones
A car with large punctures and dents was seen being towed away from the medical center
A recent statement from the Mayor confirmed a unauthorized cookout with more then 200 adults in attendance instigated the incident, with family of one of the victims claiming that an argument broke out among half a dozen people in the street
The latest violence comes as Trenton has faced repeated concerns over shootings and other violent nighttime crime
The shooting happened just weeks after Trenton officials introduced an emergency weekend curfew following a series of violent incidents in the city.
That curfew was imposed amid concerns over a surge in weekend violence, with city officials previously warning that large nighttime crowds had become a major public-safety concern, as per CBS.
The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force is investigating, with other victims are being treated at Capital Health Regional Medical Center.
Authorities have not yet released further details about the victims or announced any arrests in connection with Sunday’s shooting.
Police are expected to provide additional information as the investigation continues.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force for more information.
This is a breaking news story, more to come.
