Mass Shooting at Trenton, NJ Cookout Kills 2, Wounds 8

Gunmen opened fire on a crowd of up to 200 people at a late-night cookout on Locust Street in Trenton. Two people were killed and eight others wounded.

Gunmen open fire at Trenton cookout, killing two and wounding eight

Two people were killed and eight others wounded after gunmen walked into a crowd of up to 200 partygoers and opened fire just after midnight Sunday on Locust Street in Trenton, New Jersey, according to NY Post Metro.

The shooting broke out during an outdoor gathering at a row house in the 194 Locust Street area. Witnesses said the atmosphere was festive before the violence erupted without warning.

"Everybody was having fun. Music was playing. Everybody's having fun. Then seconds later the shots just went off," one witness told NBC 10. "I just heard two shots first, and then about 10 more after that, and then 10 more after."

Partygoers initially believed the danger had passed after the first shots, before two further bursts of gunfire sent the crowd fleeing.

Ten people were transported to a nearby hospital. A woman who identified herself as a victim's aunt told reporters that her nephew had been shot in the head. It remains unclear whether he was among the dead.

The two fatalities were identified by officials as a 33-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man. The male victim had recently been released from incarceration and, according to Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora, had been working to rebuild his life.

"We understand that one of the individuals who lost his life had been working to turn his life around after returning home from incarceration and had recently been recognized for his commitment to reentry and positive change," Gusciora said in a statement.

The conditions of the remaining victims were not immediately confirmed.

Early reports indicated the shooting may have followed an argument involving around six people. Local officials, however, told NBC 10 that "multiple suspects walked up to the party and began to fire into the crowd." The mayor described the gathering as an "unauthorized party" that had "got out of control" and that police had already been attempting to manage.

What triggered the shooting and whether the victims were specifically targeted remained under investigation Sunday evening. No suspects had been named.

Trenton police director Steve Wilson did not hold back in his assessment of those responsible. "There are people in this city and others that are just dastardly and evil," Wilson told reporters. "It doesn't matter who's around, they are just intent on destruction."

Source: NY Post Metro