$5K Reward Offered In Fatal Triple Shooting In Somerset County

NORTH PLAINFIELD, NJ — A $5,000 reward is being offered in connection with the triple shooting last week in North Plainfield that killed two cousins and critically injured another.

The reward is being offered by Crime Stoppers of somerset County, Inc. for information leading to the identification and arrest of the person or people responsible for the homicides of Christian Orellana, 31, and Steven Jimenez, 14, both of West 4th Street in Plainfield, said Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson.

On Friday, Aug. 13 at 8:06 p.m., a 911 call reported multiple people were shot at the Malcolm Gardens Apartment Complex on Little Place, North Plainfield, said Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson.

All three cousins were sitting outside on a first-floor patio area of the apartment, where one of the men lived, when someone confronted them. The shooter or shooters fired multiple rounds at close range and hit all three men, said Robertson.

North Plainfield Patrol Officers immediately started life-saving measures and asked for emergency personnel and medevac for help.

Jimenez was pronounced dead at the scene, Orellana was taken by ambulance to an undisclosed area trauma center and pronounced dead. The third cousin, a 28-year-old man, was taken by medevac to an undisclosed area trauma center where he underwent emergency surgery for multiple gunshots and remains in critical condition at an undisclosed trauma center as of Thursday.

Detectives are working to establish a motive and a description of the shooter or shooters, said Robertson.

Anyone with information relating to the homicide/shooting investigation is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office 908-231-7100 or the North Plainfield Police Department at 908-769-2937 or via the STOPit app.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers' Tip Lineat 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will bekept confidential.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

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