Two people were killed and nine others wounded when gunfire erupted at an unauthorised neighbourhood gathering attended by more than 200 people in Trenton early Sunday, authorities said.
Police responded to reports of multiple shots shortly after 12:25 a.m. in the Wilbur section of East Trenton, where a large gathering was underway on a residential block.
“Eleven people were struck by gunfire,” the office of Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora said. Two of the victims subsequently died, while nine others were wounded.
The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force has taken the lead in investigating the shooting. No arrests have been announced, and authorities have not yet established what triggered the dispute that preceded the gunfire.
Gusciora said one of those killed was a man who had recently been recognised for his efforts to rebuild his life and reintegrate into society following incarceration.
Investigators have appealed to people who attended the gathering or live nearby to provide photographs, videos and social media footage that could help identify those responsible.
“If you know something, say something,” the mayor’s office urged residents.
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill said she had been briefed on the shooting, while state Attorney General Jennifer Davenport remained in close contact with investigators.
The mayor said the city would also consider proactive measures to prevent large, unpermitted gatherings in residential neighbourhoods, as authorities examine the circumstances that allowed more than 200 people to assemble at the location.
The investigation remains ongoing, with police seeking to determine how many shooters were involved and the circumstances that led to the violence.