Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said that it’s possible active shooters targeted the location they attacked in a tweet posted last night, expanding this morning that “hate and anti-Semitism” have no place in this city.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Based on our initial investigation (which is ongoing) we now believe the active shooters targeted the location they attacked,” Fulop wrote around 9:30 p.m. last night.
“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[.]”
His social media posting left dozens on social media asking for more details, which he provided this morning.
“Last night after extensive review of our CCTV system it has now become clear from the cameras that these two individuals targeted the Kosher grocery location on MLK Dr the 2 JCPD officers that were on a foot post one block away immediately responded/engaged,” he wrote.
“and [sic] prevented the perpetrators from leaving that location and harming any further civilians. At this time we have no credible further threats from this incident but out of an abundance of caution we will be increasing our police presence in the community. Hate and anti-semitism have never had a place here in JC and will never have a place in our city.”
The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office has taken over the investigation, which has left six dead, including Jersey City Police Det. Joseph Seals.
“We stand with Jersey City as we mourn today’s terrible tragedy. The Attorney General’s Office is leading the criminal investigation and any public statements about the matter will be issued by our office,” AG Gurbir Grewal said in a statement released early this morning.
“We continue to work closely with our federal, county, and local partners and we remain grateful for the outpouring of support from law enforcement across the region and the nation. 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.”
The majority of gunfire exchanged took place at 223 Martin Luther King Dr., which was recently known as the Jersey City Kosher Supermarket.
The situation prompted a response from the NYPD, the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, among many other law enforcement agencies.
Last night, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio classified the incident as part of a growing pattern of violent anti-Semitism, indicating that he felt Fulop’s first tweet was clear that this was an attack on the Jewish community.
“This tragically confirms that a growing pattern of violent anti-Semitism has now turned into a crisis for our nation. And now this threat has reached the doorstep of New York City,” de Blasio tweeted.
Based on our initial investigation (which is ongoing) we now believe the active shooters targeted the location they attacked. 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
— Steven Fulop (@StevenFulop) December 11, 2019
This tragically confirms that a growing pattern of violent anti-Semitism has now turned into a crisis for our nation. And now this threat has reached the doorstep of New York City.
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) December 11, 2019
I’m Jewish and proud to live in a community like #JerseyCity that has always welcomed everyone. It is the home of #EllisIsland and has always been the golden door to America. Hate and anti-semitism have never had a place here in JC and will never have a place in our city,
— Steven Fulop (@StevenFulop) December 11, 2019
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with new information.
