Officials: Jersey City shooting was 'targeted attack on the Jewish kosher deli' - Politico, Politico

Jersey City's mayor Steven Fulop, right, and the Director of Public Safety James Shea | AP Photo — JERSEY CITY – Two people armed with long rifles “targeted” a kosher deli that was at the center of a massive shootout Tuesday, opening fire as soon as they walked inside the store, authorities said Wednesday morning.

yeshiva schoolnext to the market where one witness had said as many as Children were trapped during the shootout.

“From what we can tell on the CCTV cameras, had they not responded, and had they not been there, more than likely more people would have died , ”Fulop said of the officers who initially arrived on the scene. “The reason those perpetrators seemed to be inside that deli and not able to move potentially to the school or potentially to inflict more harm was because the police responded immediately and returned fire.”

The two officers who arrived first on scene were both injured in the shootout. Other officers also quickly arrived, the officials said, ensuring that the two assailants could not leave the grocery store and leading to the four-hourlong shootout that left schools on lockdown until sunset.“There are multiple other people on the street, so there were many of other targets available to them that they bypassed to attack that place,” Shea said . “Clearly, that was their target and they intended to attack people in that place.”

Fulop and Shea declined to name the suspects or the three civilians who were killed, saying that part of the investigation his in the hands of the Attorney General’s Office , which oversees police-involved shooting investigations.

The mayor and public safety director also did not add any new details about what led to the death of the death of Detective Joseph Seals, the plain-clothes Officer who was shot after approaching suspects in a graveyard about a dozen blocks from the market.

The president and governor spoke around (****************************************************: ********************************************** Tuesday to discuss the shootings, Murphy’s office said.

“Governor Murphy thanked the President for the swift response of the federal government, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives (ATF), ”a readout of the call says. “The President offered continued assistance to the State of New Jersey on this case or any other matter.”

In a statement Wednesday morning, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said further statements about the incident would come from his office – an apparent response to a tweet Fulop sent Tuesday nightsaying the attack had targeted the location, but offering no detail.

“We recognize the fear that communities rightfully feel after traumatic incidents such as these, and we are committed to providing all resources necessary to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our fellow residents, ”Grewal said.

************************)

******************** Read More **********************************