2 Mass Shootings Rock NJ, No Arrests: What We Know

Two North Jersey communities were rocked by separate mass shootings just days apart that left two dead and several injured.

Investigations into both shootings, one taking place at a fast food chain and another interrupting a child's birthday party, have yet to yield any arrests.

Chick-fil-A Shooting

It has been 10 days since a mass shooting at a Union Township Chick-fil-A, and the shooter remains on the loose.

The shooting happened on April 11 at around 9 p.m. at the fast food restaurant off Route 22 in Union County.

One person was killed, and six others were injured. Malek Shepherd, 23, of New York City, was identified as the person fatally shot, according to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office(UCPO).

The UCPO has said that the shooting was not a random act, and authorities are continuing to search for the shooter.

"While no arrests have been made at this time, the preliminary investigation reveals this does not appear to be a random act of violence and that there is no immediate ongoing threat to the general public," according to UCPO.

A reward of up to $10,000 from the Union County Crime Stoppers is being offered to anyone who provides a tip that leads to an indictment and conviction.

As of Tuesday, Chick-fil-A at 2319 Route 22 in Union remains "temporarily closed.”

Following the shooting, state and local officials have shared their sentiments.

"Our community is heartbroken and shaken by the tragic act of violence that occurred [Saturday] night at a local Chick-fil-A. What should have been an ordinary evening has left families grieving, individuals injured, and our entire Township in shock," said Union Township Mayor Patricia Guerra-Frazier.

"Our hearts go out to the victim’s loved ones, and we are hoping for the full recovery of those who were injured," said Governor Mikie Sherill.

Anyone with information is asked to contact UCPO Homicide Task Force Detective Edward Mack at 908-347-2212, Sergeant Jennifer Smith at 908-759-8254, or Union Police Department Detective Teon Freeman at 908-851-5033.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously by phone at 908-654-TIPS (8477) or online at uctip.org.

Paterson Shooting

On Saturday, around 6:15 p.m., authorities were called to 10th Avenue and East 29th Street in Paterson on reports of a shooting.

Officers discovered that four people had been shot in the area. All of them were rushed to a nearby hospital to be treated.

One of the victims, a 20-year-old Oxford man, was later pronounced dead in the hospital. Authorities have not yet disclosed the victim’s name.

Two of the victims were still in critical condition as of Monday, with the fourth victim in stable condition, prosecutors said. At least one of the victims was a minor, according to Eyewitness News.

The shooting reportedly interrupted a 13-year-old’s birthday celebration, but it’s not clear if any of the victims were associated with the party.

The shooter(s) remain at large, as no arrests have been announced as of Tuesday.

Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh called the incident “senseless” and said the city is committed to finding whoever is responsible for the shooting.

“We are actively working alongside law enforcement and community partners to ensure a thorough investigation,” the mayor posted on social media. “Every resource is being brought to bear, and we will continue to pursue answers with urgency and a commitment to justice.”

A News12 New Jersey report says that Paterson investigators are patrolling the neighborhood where the shooting took place and are sifting through surveillance footage in an attempt to locate a suspect or suspects.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office tipline at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org, or the Paterson Police Detective Bureau at 973-321-1120.

Gun violence in Paterson, according to local police, has been down in recent years. Police say last year, the number of people shot in Paterson has dropped compared to 2024, with 41 shooting victims compared to 83, a 50.6 percent decrease.

Local authorities cited “the ongoing efforts of the PPD and community partners to reduce gun violence and improve safety across the city” as the reason for the drop in shootings.