NJ Mass Shooting Victim’s Mother Speaks Out After ‘Traumatic’ Night

UNION, NJ — The mother of a Chick-fil-A worker who was shot during a mass shooting at a Chick-fil-A in Union on Saturday night is sharing the harrowing details of that night.

The East Orange mother shared in a statement to News 12 New Jersey how she felt getting the call from her "baby that I never imagined receiving. The scene that I would have never thought of personally and hysterically driving up to. Someone having the power to tell me that I couldn’t get to my child."

Around 9 p.m. on Saturday, Union Township Police went to the Chick-fil-A on Route 22 and found seven victims, one of whom was pronounced dead, authorities said.

Malek Shepherd, 23, of New York City, was identified as the person fatally shot. The shooter remains at large.

In the statement, the mother identified herself as a single parent and described the moments when she arrived and saw her daughter.

"I don’t wish this on any parent or guardian. When I locked eyes with my child through the glass window, my heartbeat and body shook uncontrollably. My head pounded like no other. I didn’t pay attention to any of that. I just needed to hug and hold my child. Was that so much to ask? All I could think about was the tremble in her voice in that call. My child loved that job so much," stated the mother.

She described the fast food restaurant as her daughter's happy place, which has not turned into a "lifelong fight against trauma and mental illness."

The mother said her daughter was working at Chick-fil-A to get the essentials she wanted for Decision Day, Prom, Graduation and College.

The mother also tied her family’s experience to a broader concern about public safety.

"Gun violence has been an increasing problem that has now shifted the peace in my home. Through it all, I thank God for tasking my baby’s guardian angel to protect her in that traumatic moment. What do we do next to protect them?!" said the mother.

The shooter remains at large, and the Union County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $10,000 to anyone who provides a tip that leads to an indictment and conviction.

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.

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