Jersey City: Two gunmen in Jersey City who sparked chaos in a residential neighborhood when they exchanged gunfire with police in an hours-long shootout “targeted” the Jewish grocery store at the center of the melee, the city’s mayor said Tuesday.
Mayor Steven Fulop tweeted Tuesday night that police came to that conclusion based on their ongoing investigation into the shootout that left three civilians, a detective, and the two suspects dead.
Two gunmen in Jersey City who sparked chaos in a residential neighborhood when they exchanged gunfire with police in an hours-long shootout “targeted” the Jewish grocery store at the center of the melee, the city’s mayor said Tuesday.
Mayor Steven Fulop tweeted Tuesday night that police came to that conclusion based on their ongoing investigation into the shootout that left three civilians, a detective, and the two suspects dead.
“Based on our initial investigation (which is ongoing) we now believe the active shooters targeted the location they attacked,” Fulop wrote of the JC Kosher Supermarket in the Greenville section of the city.
“Due to an excess of caution the community may see additional police resources in the days/weeks ahead. We have no indication there are any further threats,” he added.
Detective Joseph Seals was killed in the gun battlethat kicked off at about 12:30 p.m. when police responded to a report of gunfire on the supermarket on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
When police responded to the scene, they were immediately fired upon by the two gunmen who were shooting with long guns, authorities said.
At about the same time, police learned a cop — later identified as Detective Seals — had been gunned down on Garfield Avenue near Caven Point Avenue, about three-quarters of a mile away.
In addition to Seals, three civilians inside the supermarket and both suspects were killed in the shootout.
It’s not clear what Fulop meant when he said the store was “targeted,” but Police Chief Michael Kelly said earlier Tuesday the shooting was not believed to be terror related.
A spokesperson for Fulop referred questions to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office after he tweeted.
Detective Joseph Seals was killed in the gun battlethat kicked off at about 12:30 p.m. when police responded to a report of gunfire on the supermarket on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
When police responded to the scene, they were immediately fired upon by the two gunmen who were shooting with long guns, authorities said.
At about the same time, police learned a cop — later identified as Detective Seals — had been gunned down on Garfield Avenue near Caven Point Avenue, about three-quarters of a mile away.
In addition to Seals, three civilians inside the supermarket and both suspects were killed in the shootout.
It’s not clear what Fulop meant when he said the store was “targeted,” but Police Chief Michael Kelly said earlier Tuesday the shooting was not believed to be terror related.
A spokesperson for Fulop referred questions to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office after he tweeted.
Credit: New York Post
Photo Credit: New York Post
Devestating. So sad. Caring and praying
Wondering why names of POS have not been released.
Patty Oyola we are waiting for their identities to be released as well
The same reason they always withhold them!!! Ill just leave it there so snowflakes don’t hurl accusations my way ????
Jer Konkus well since snowflakes never was an insult…irrelevant
Let me help…..muhamad something
Charles Cron is that a guess or some kind of bigoted thing or what. There are many reports that they are not Muslim
Charles Cron keep that shoe in your mouth
Well lets put on our thinking caps…….jersey city, what are the 4 major ethnic groups ? Who were killed, except for the police Jews. The found pipe bombs, now who uses IUDs and pipe bombs ? The van with the bombs was found parked where….right outside of a jewish deli. Well rub my hairy legs who doesn’t like Jews and as a group has sworn to kill all of them ? Now lets try really hard to put all the facts together…….I realize there are many reports, many many reports but seriously. Oh mr. allen better shoe in mouth than schiff for brain…..just sayin’
Charles Cron for that you’d have to actually without some drunk feeding you unwanted hate you vomit in here. Especially when you think making it political makes you relevant. Btw, who said there are 4 major ethnic groups ?
Pretty sure this was a drug deal gone bad
Just read it started in a cemetery the cop who was killed went over to question them, then the took off after shooting him, police then all swarmed the van about a mile away from where it started, it spilled into the street and they then went into the store.
Ed Poplaski you must be a responding officer, there is no way you got this high quality information that nobody knew until now unless you are one. Thank you for your service
I’m sure this had nothing to do with the kosher market
David Quinones it didn’t
So the mayor shouldnt be spreading rumors and creating more hate.
David Quinones how so?
Scott A Barnes cause the chief of police even said on the news, ” this was not a hate crime”
David Quinones correct
Brian Hammond it did. Already been proven. Get facts before assuming
David Quinones then why has reports stated the bodega was the target then?
Jersey City police has said nothing about a hate crime.
Sounds like a cover, more to this then we will know
Not really. If you piece it together, it points in this direction. Yes that’s a rough part of Jersey City, but the Hasidic Jews have been buying up a lot of property in that area.
Jason A. McKillop so this was a coordinated attack?? Something not right with this story so far
Exactly
Bobby Trainor I agree
Total farce , sounds odd and no briefings on this
Joseph Todaro try again
Scott enlighten us please
Had a feeling that was the case.
See what happens when some town or family drunk feeds another hate? Sad for all victims and their families.
Scott A Barnes watch u tube Dearborn MI they hate everyone ( aka CAIR the group democrats support)
Ester Rozdowski hacidics? Not true in Dearborn. I know what shill you speak of and research the source
So so sorry why why Does this happen??? Take your own life not cause disaster
They were isrealites… the most racist black people ever…
Dave Meyer and the media will not adhere this I’m sure
So sorry to hear this prayers for this Jewish market ????????????
Didn’t it start in the cemetery ? I also heard on the scanner that there was a pipe bomb found…
Robert Paul Skinner yes it did start in the cementary
Joyce Connelly yikes ! They updated the story and apparently it was at the store – clearly targeted
8:10 am the day after and still not one word about the murderers other than 1 woman 1 man both dead and an anti-semitic act. Anyone else think this is odd ?!!
Patty Oyola what channel are you on?
Why are they saying the rental truck was tied to a murder in Brooklyn
Why would they target a kosher deli ( Brooklyn ties maybe)
Gun or drug deal gone bad I think.
Prayers for Joe Seals and family. Great Job Jersey City NYPD and other PDs This could have ended a whole lot worse
Joseph K Stankevitch first heard it was apparently like you said involved in a murder over the weekend! Det seals went to investigate and the driver got out of the van and shot him! “Then went to a 2nd location ” not sure where! Then ended where it did! I agree with you on this whole story! Not making sense!
These guys had a specific target. If it was a hate crime, and they wanted a body count, they could have easily gotten into the Jewish school in the next building, especially in Jersey city. These guys had a specific target.
Tracy Ridenour it is a hate crime. Unless this was a very elaborate robbery
Scott A Barnes I agree however, we’re they targeting the store because their target was in there, was it retaliation for something or were they just looking to kill at random within the community. The media is gonna try to spin this to push agendas. Hopefully we learn more today.
Tracy Ridenour they had a public school
Right across the street as well. The Jewish school was above the supermarket it could have been worse for many people. At this time they don’t know why. So I think calling it a hate crime is too soon. Every life matters.
Tracy Ridenour let’s not fuel the hate tank
I don’t know how they can say this, they ran into that store after shooting at police in the graveyard. To early to say this, don’t think that it is true.