Prosecutor Identifies Victim in Fatal Shooting at New Jersey Chick-Fil-A

Officials in Union Township, New Jersey released the identity of the individual killed during Saturday night’s shooting at Chick-Fil-A on Route 22.

The deceased has been identified as Malek Shepherd, age 23, of New York City, according to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and Union Police Department.

When they arrived at the scene about 9 pm, the police said they located seven victims. Shepherd, a customer at the time of the shooting, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Six other victims were taken to local area hospitals and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Police did not identify the injured parties.

No arrests have been made. The preliminary investigation indicates the shooting does not appear to be a random act of violence. The investigation is ongoing. Police said there is no immediate threat to the general public.

The investigation is being led by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office homicide task force, with the Union Police Department deploying all investigative resources to assist.

Union Township where the shooting occurred is a suburban community about 17 miles west of New York City and near Newark airport. There is another Union Township in western New Jersey in Hunterdon County near the Pennsylvania border.