9-Year-Old Bridgeton Girl Killed By Stray Bullet: Prosecutor

A 9-year-old girl was killed by a stray bullet while in her South Jersey house on Tuesday, according to authorities. A manhunt is underway.

The 9-year-old from Church Street in Bridgeton, who was not identified, was apparently struck by stray gunfire taking place nearby, according to the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office. The bullet entered through a rear wall, striking the girl who was in the room adjacent to the wall.

The incident happened at 12:30 a.m. Tuesday when officers were called to the area of Elmer Street on reports of shots being fired, according to the CCPO.

Officers found the family of the juvenile while they were transporting her to Inspira Hospital in Bridgeton where she was pronounced dead a short time after arriving there, according to the CCPO.

Bridgeton Chief of Police Michael A. Gaimari said the initial investigation indicates that an unknown subject or subjects fired several shots from the vicinity of Elmer and Walnut streets, striking several vehicles and ultimately entering the victim’s home.

Police did not release the name of the victim at this time.

Detectives and officers have interviewed dozens of individuals and were continuing with a canvass of the area this morning. Anyone with information is urged to contact Bridgeton Police at 451-0033 or utilize the department’s TIP411 anonymous TEXT line subtitle, “BRIDGETON.”

“We need the public’s help in general, but when an incident such as this happens to such a young and innocent victim we could really use the assistance in bringing those responsible to justice immediately,” Gaimari said.

He added that police presence in the area will increase in an effort to curb the tensions there and develop information on the shooting.

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