Teen wanted for shooting outside new jersey liquor store captured in pennsylvania

Teen wanted for shooting outside New Jersey liquor store captured in Pennsylvania

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1 min read
May 19, 2025

LANCASTER, Pa. – A New Jersey man wanted for allegedly firing into a crowd outside a restaurant and injuring one person was arrested without incident by Lancaster County’s Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) on Wednesday.

Jaylen A. McCray, 18, of Union, N.J., was taken into custody May 14 at a residence in the 300 block of South Ann Street in Lancaster city. His arrest followed a request from U.S. Marshals, who were acting on a warrant issued by authorities in Elizabeth City, N.J.

Teen wanted for shooting outside new jersey liquor store captured in pennsylvania
Photo: teen wanted for shooting outside new jersey liquor store captured in pennsylvania

McCray is accused of firing six shots into a group of people on the evening of May 9 outside a liquor store on Morris Avenue in Elizabeth. Police said the shooting followed a fight involving McCray and several individuals inside the store.

One man was struck in the leg and later received medical treatment.

Surveillance footage reportedly captured both the altercation and the shooting. An eyewitness later identified McCray as the gunman, according to Elizabeth police.

McCray held pending extradition to New Jersey

SERT officers, assisted by U.S. Marshals, secured the arrest without incident. Authorities temporarily closed several streets in the surrounding area for about 45 minutes during the operation.

McCray is charged in New Jersey with aggravated assault and two firearms-related offenses. He faces no charges in Lancaster County.

Following his arrest, McCray was transferred to the custody of the U.S. Marshals and is currently being held at Lancaster County Prison awaiting extradition.

A New Jersey teen accused of opening fire on a crowd after a fight was captured in Lancaster by a tactical team and now awaits extradition.

Phil Stilton

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