Two people dead, 12 others injured after gunman opens fire at party in Cumberland County
New Jersey state police said two people were killed and at least 12 other people were shot at a party that was attended by a few hundred people in Fairfield Township in rural Cumberland County late Saturday night.
The shooting that happened shortly before midnight left a 30-year-old man and 25-year-old woman dead. Several people were taken to area hospitals with gunshots, and at least one person is in critical condition, police said. The property where the shooting took place is located in a wooded area near a cemetery and a school. As of late Sunday morning, no one had been arrested for the shootings.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy issued a statement on Sunday morning offering condolences to the families of victims and denouncing the violence.
“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. “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.”
Murphy praised law enforcement officials for their quick response, and called on anyone with information about the shooting to contact the police.
“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 common sense gun safety laws,” Murphy said. “No community should ever experience what occurred last night in Fairfield. We urge anyone with information to step forward, so those responsible can be brought to justice. This remains an active investigation with many moving parts. More information will be released as it is available and confirmed.”
Krystal Knapp is the founding editor of Planet Princeton. Follow her on Twitter @krystalknapp. She can be reached via email at editor AT planetprinceton.com. Send all letters to the editor and press releases to that email address.
But NJ already has “common sense” (read “unconstitutional, draconian and tyrannical”) laws, yet this still occurred. It is almost as if guns are not the actual problem, but rather the human beings wielding them. All “common sense” gun laws do is leave good people utterly defenseless.