Shooting in New Jersey leaves one dead and four injured

A shooting reported during a candlelight vigil in the city of Elizabeth, New Jersey, left one person dead and four others injured, as family members and neighbors were participating in a memorial event in honor of a man killed years ago in the same area.

The attack occurred on the night of Monday, October 26, 2026, shortly after 9:30, at the intersection of Irvington Avenue and Elmwood Place, a residential area located approximately 24 kilometers southwest of New York.

According to information published by Infobae, based on reports from U.S. media, Elizabeth Police officers found five people with gunshot wounds upon arriving at the scene.

One of the victims was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other four were transported to a hospital facility.

As of the time of the report, authorities had not revealed the identity of the deceased person nor offered official details regarding the health status of all the survivors.

Shooting interrupts vigil in memory of a victim

According to testimonies collected by CBS New York, the attendees were participating in a vigil held every year to remember a man murdered in the same neighborhood around 2019.

The activity brought together family members, friends, and community residents, who lit candles to honor the victim’s memory.

However, the tranquility of the meeting was interrupted by a series of gunshots that caused moments of panic among those present.

A father interviewed by the American media outlet reported that his 18-year-old son was injured during the attack and remained hospitalized in critical condition.

The man expressed concern about the condition of his son, who, according to his testimony, was struggling to survive.

Neighbors mistook the gunshots for fireworks

Residents of the area reported that they heard numerous consecutive detonations, which they initially mistook for fireworks.

Carlos Núñez, one of the neighbors interviewed by CBS News, explained that upon hearing the gunshots, he threw himself to the ground to protect himself.

The resident noted that his mother was also in the home when the shooting began.

According to his testimony, upon observing what was happening on the street, he saw people crying next to the victims.

Another neighbor claimed to have heard at least 20 shots in a row.

Testimonies indicate that the attack occurred suddenly and that attendees had little time to react.

A resident also explained that the vigil was not crowded, but rather a small gathering in which several men, a woman, and some children were participating.

Bullets hit nearby homes and vehicles

The shooting not only affected those participating in the vigil, but also caused damage to properties located in the vicinity.

According to reports, several projectiles struck homes and parked vehicles in the area.

One of the residents reported that their pickup truck was shot twice.

Investigators also found a bullet hole in the window of a nearby house.

Authorities cordoned off several blocks to collect evidence and determine the trajectory of the shots.

Images released by local media showed numerous evidence markers placed on the pavement.

Police investigate possible drive-by shooting

The first reports gathered by FOX 5 New York indicate that the person responsible for the shooting may have escaped in a car.

Investigators were looking for a red four-door sedan that allegedly left the area after the detonations.

A witness claimed to have heard a vehicle speeding away immediately after the attack.

Subsequently, FOX 5 helicopter cameras captured agents inspecting a burned red car in Newark, a city near Elizabeth.

However, the authorities had not confirmed whether that vehicle was related to the shooting.

The possible connection between both events remains under investigation.

Union Prosecutor investigates the shooting

The Union County Prosecutor’s Office took over the investigation after the Elizabeth Police initially responded to the emergency.

Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage confirmed what happened to USA Today and explained that municipal officers were the first to arrive at the scene.

During Tuesday morning, investigators continued to examine the crime scene and collect bullet casings.

The security perimeter extended for several blocks of Irvington Avenue, where specialists carried out evidence collection work.

Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson Lauren Farinas reported that as of Tuesday, no arrests had been made in connection with the case.

Authorities had also not publicly established the motive for the attack.

Authorities request help to identify the person responsible

The Union County Prosecutor’s Office has requested the public’s assistance in obtaining information to help identify and locate those responsible for the shooting.

People who have relevant information can contact the investigators through the following contacts:

• Detective William Hannon: 908-578-8482.
• Sergeant Nicholas Veltre: 908-347-7330.
• Detective Daniel Mooney, of the Elizabeth Police: 908-558-2036.

Information can also be provided anonymously via the 908-654-TIPS (8477) line or through the Union County Crime Stoppers portal.

The authorities indicated that tips leading to a formal indictment and subsequent conviction could be eligible for a reward of up to 10,000 dollars.

As investigations progress, the Elizabeth community remains dismayed by a new episode of gun violence that occurred during an activity dedicated precisely to remembering a homicide victim.