JACKSON-Overnight in Jackson Township, two men were shot after gunshots rang out at Jackson Crossing Plaza. The relatively sleepy and safe community of 54,000 boasts a violent crime rate that is 94% lower than the national average.
According to police, at approximately 2:06 am on Sunday December 29, 2019, officers responded to the parking lot of the Jackson Crossing plaza located at 21 South Hope Chapel Road on the report of gunshots.
“Officers arrived on scene and learned that a 20 year old male and 44 year old male had been shot after a disturbance occurred at an event being held at the plaza. Both were transported to an area hospital for treatment for their injuries,” the department said.
Cardinale Enterprises, the management company which operates the plaza issued a statement Sunday afternoon.
“Unfortunately, in the early morning hours of December 29th (today), there was an incident that occurred in the parking lot at Jackson Crossing. The incident was not directly related to any business within the shopping center, and although many of the businesses were not accessible this morning, they are all currently able to open and operate for business,” the company said. “Our thoughts are with the victims, and their families, and we are hoping for a full, speedy recovery. A special thank you to the Jackson Township Police Department – along with the Ocean County Prosecutors Office for their ongoing, thorough investigation, and quick response time.”
One shooting victim was airlifted to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick with a gunshot wound to the chest.
Reports state that event was being held at the banquet hall within the plaza.