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By Emma Marsden
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A fatal shooting at a Chick-fil-A in Union Township, New Jersey, has left one person dead and several others injured, as authorities continue to investigate the incident.
Union County Prosecutor's Office said in a statement sent to Newsweek that the deceased victim has been identified as Malek Shepherd, 23, of New York City.
The Context
The violence unfolded on Saturday evening, shortly before 9 p.m., prompting a major emergency response and lockdown of the restaurant. The incident adds to growing concerns about gun violence in public spaces in the United States, particularly in everyday locations such as restaurants where families and workers are present. The scale of the response in the township just southwest of Newark, and early reports of multiple victims, highlight the seriousness of the attack and its impact on the local community.
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What to Know
Police say the shooting occurred at a busy Route 22 location, with officers responding to reports of gunfire at around 8:40-8:45 p.m., as reported by The Daily Mail and RLS Media. The prosecutor's office statement confirms the time of response as approximately 9 p.m., per the statement sent to Newsweek on Monday.
Witnesses reported that several masked individuals entered the restaurant, moved behind the counter and opened fire, causing panic among staff and customers.
The prosecutor's office statement said police arrived to find seven victims, including Shepherd. The other six were taken to area hospitals and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The restaurant was placed on lockdown during the incident, with some employees reportedly still inside as police secured the scene.
Authorities have not released details about suspects or a possible motive, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Witnesses described hearing multiple gunshots and seeing a heavy police presence shortly after the attack. One person near the scene said they heard shots “very close” before officers arrived, while a family member of an employee described the situation inside the restaurant as chaotic, with several workers injured,
A local resident living a block away, as reported by The Daily Mail, said that they heard “a ruckus” and sirens sounding for hours after the shooting had ended.
The father of a Chick-fil-A employee said his son told him that several armed, masked suspects forced their way into the fast-food restaurant. He described the busy eatery as a “war zone” and said that a number of his son’s co-workers were injured, as reported by The Daily Mail.
A man who said his girlfriend works at the restaurant told CBS News that she reported a group of men entered the premises, went straight behind the counter, and fired several shots.
A Lyft driver told ABC, as reported by The Daily Mail, "I finished my trip over there, in the return zone. I heard the shots. When I finished the trip, I go to Chick-fil-A to buy two burgers. I see the police, I heard the shots very close."
Local officials have also acknowledged the severity of the incident, confirming that emergency crews responded to multiple casualties and urging the public to keep victims in their thoughts.
What Happens Next
The UCPO is leading an active investigation, with more information expected to be released as authorities determine what led to the shooting and identify those responsible.
UCPO said they encourage the community to remain vigilant and report any information to 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 www.uctip.org; submission of tips made in this fashion that result in an indictment and conviction can be eligible for a reward of up to $10,000 via the Union County Crime Stoppers.
Update 4/12/26, 2:01 p.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from UCPO.
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