A police officer and three civilians were killed in a deadly shootout in the Greenville section of Jersey City yesterday.
NBC reports that Detective Joseph Seals, 40, was killed at the Bay View Cemetery when he approached two suspects in connection with a murder from over the weekend in Bayonne. The two suspects — identified as David Anderson and Francine Graham — then fled to the Jersey City Kosher Supermarket on Martin Luther King Drive. That’s where a tense standoff with high-powered rifles started at around 12:30pm.
Two additional police officers were shot during the standoff, and three civilians were also killed, according to ABC News. The officers — Ray Sanchez and Mariela Fernandez — were both released from the hospital by Tuesday night, reports the New York Times.
The civilians included Douglas Rodriguez, Leah Minda Ferencz, and Moshe Deutsch.
The standoff lasted till roughly 2pm and was described by many as an intense barrage of bullets. SWAT teams, state police, bomb squads, and heavily armored officers responded to the shootout, which shook an otherwise residential area of Greenville. By the end of the standoff, the two gunmen were reported dead.
Although it was initially thought the two suspects randomly picked the kosher supermarket, late Tuesday evening Mayor Steven Fulop tweeted that the shooters “targeted the location they attacked.” As a result, residents may see “additional police resources in the days/weeks ahead.”
Jersey City schools will have a delayed opening Wednesday morning. The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail has resumed service to the Danforth Station, but limited shuttle bus service remains in effect between LSP and West Side Avenue. Shuttle buses will bypass the MLK station.
Mayor Fulop will provide further information on how residents can help the victims of Tuesday’s shooting.
Reactions around the Web
Jersey City is one of the most diverse cities in the country and it is a place of love and inclusivity – its a special place. As a city, we’ve overcome challenges before and we will do it here as well.
— Steven Fulop (@StevenFulop) December 11, 2019
Jersey City is a strong and resilient community. Tomorrow is a new day. It is a day when we will think to those lost, and in their names, we will think of how we can ensure that this doesn’t ever happen again — in Jersey City, or in any community in our proud state.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) December 11, 2019
Tonight our thoughts and prayers are with the Jersey City Police Department and the friends and families of Detective Joseph Seals and the innocent victims of today’s shooting. #JCPD @JCPoliceDept pic.twitter.com/PPYHmKcQlq
— NJSP – State Police (@NJSP) December 11, 2019
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Jersey City Police Department after today’s incident. Please keep our brother and sister officers at the Jersey City police department in your thoughts and prayers.#jcpd #newjersey #njtpd #police #cops #lawenforcement #thinblueline pic.twitter.com/jsb8d4Rvb1
— NJ TRANSIT Police (@NJTransitPolice) December 10, 2019
Although there is no credible or specific threat directed against New York City, I have directed the NYPD to assume a state of high alert.
Tonight, NYPD assets are being redeployed to protect key locations in the Jewish community. Tomorrow, we will announce additional measures.
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) December 11, 2019
