There were at least 12 other people between 19 and 35 years of age who were injured and transported to area hospitals. At least one person was listed in critical condition. Some of the injured has been released from hospitals by Monday morning.
One person was arrested. Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae identified that person as 36-year-old Kevin K Dawkins. He was being held in county jail on weapons charges. NJSP Colonel Pat Callahan said he expects additional arrests as their investigation continues.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy called the shooting “horrific.”
“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 commonsense gun safety laws,” Murphy said in a statement. “No community should ever experience what occurred last night in Fairfield.”
Vineland Daily Journal
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A mass shooting at a house party in Fairfield Township left two dead and sent a dozen to the hospital Saturday night. Police found a 30-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman were fatally shot at the party, according to initial reports.
All of the victims were Cumberland County residents, ranging in age from 19 to 35, said Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae.
Gov. Phil Murphy held a press conference Monday morning with State Police and the Attorney General to update the public on the investigation and take questions.
Here s what we know so far about the deadly shooting in Cumberland County.
Deadly birthday party shooting was a targeted attack: Officials
Birthday party shooting leaves 2 dead, 12 injured in New Jersey
Replay Video UP NEXT A mass shooting at an outdoor birthday party at a southern New Jersey home that left two people dead and 12 injured was a targeted attack, officials said on Monday. A massive search for unidentified assailants continued Monday morning in Cumberland County, where a barrage of gunfire broke out at a large home in Bridgeton, New Jersey, near Fairfield, just before midnight on Saturday, prompting party revelers to dive for cover or run for their lives. This was not a random act of violence. This was a targeted attack, New Jersey State Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said at a news conference.
AP
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BRIDGETON, N.J. A shooting at a birthday party in New Jersey that left two people dead and 12 injured was not a random act and was a reflection of gun violence that has swept the nation, Gov. Phil Murphy said.
“A birthday party is supposed to be a joyous event, not a target for those hellbent on inflicting harm on a community,” the Democrat said during a news conference Monday.
Authorities arrived at the house where hundreds were partying in Fairfield Township, about an hour outside of Philadelphia, late Saturday night. The party had grown after another party was broken up following a noise complaint around 11 p.m., authorities said.
By Bill Galluccio
May 24, 2021
The two deceased victims were identified as 30-year-old
Kevin Elliott and 25-year-old
Asia Heste. The other victims were between the ages of 19 and 35 and remained hospitalized, with several in dire condition.
Authorities have made one arrest in the case and are looking for more suspects. Officials believe the shooting was a targeted attack, though it is unclear if the two deceased victims were the targets. This was not a random act of violence. This was a targeted attack, New Jersey State Attorney General
Kevin K. Dawkins, 36, lives down the street from the home and was taken into custody. He is facing several gun charges, including unlawful possession of a weapon, unlawful possession of a large capacity ammunition magazine, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.