Masked attackers burst into a crowded New Jersey Chick-fil-A and opened fire, killing one person and injuring several others.
The shooting unfolded Saturday night at a busy restaurant along Route 22 in Union Township, where customers and workers were inside when gunfire broke out just before 8:40 p.m. Authorities said multiple people were struck, and one victim was pronounced dead at the scene as emergency crews rushed in.
Initial reports indicated at least six people suffered gunshot wounds during the attack. Several victims were treated for injuries described as non-life-threatening, but the chaos inside the restaurant left witnesses scrambling for cover as the situation spiraled in seconds.
A man waiting outside the location said his son, who works at the restaurant, described what happened as masked individuals entered and immediately began firing. The account suggested employees were caught directly in the line of fire. “It was a war zone,” he said.
Emergency calls captured the urgency. A dispatcher relayed frantic updates from callers, including reports of an unconscious victim and another person shot in the face. Additional victims were described as having gunshot wounds to their legs, adding to the sense of confusion and panic as information came in rapidly.
Nearby, a ride-share driver said the gunfire came in quick bursts. “I heard the shots very close,” he said, recalling how quickly police converged on the area as sirens filled the roadway within minutes.
Early reporting indicated the attackers may have pushed behind the counter before firing, raising the possibility that workers were targeted. Authorities have not confirmed that detail, but investigators have not ruled out a deliberate focus on employees inside the restaurant.
Video circulating from the scene appeared to capture at least one suspect running through the parking lot moments after the shooting. The individual, wearing a mask and holding what appeared to be a firearm, moved past parked cars while others followed behind.
Additional footage showed customers and staff fleeing the building, some sprinting across the lot while others ducked behind vehicles. The movement was immediate and uncoordinated, reflecting how quickly the attack disrupted the entire area.
Police from multiple jurisdictions responded, shutting down sections of Route 22 and sealing off the restaurant. Officers kept employees inside for hours while they cleared the building and searched for those responsible.
Family members gathered outside as the scene remained active, waiting for information while officers moved in and out of the restaurant. The presence of emergency vehicles stretched across the surrounding area as investigators began piecing together what happened.
By Sunday, officials had not announced any arrests and had not confirmed how many suspects were involved. Authorities indicated the attack did not appear random, pointing to evidence that suggested some level of targeting.
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The Union County Prosecutor’s Office said the case remains active and confirmed a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Investigators are working to establish a clearer timeline and identify those responsible.
Witnesses from nearby businesses described the spillover chaos beyond the restaurant itself. Ben Wegner, who was working across the street, said he saw people running in multiple directions as the situation unfolded.
“Last night, around 8:20 p.m., 8:25 p.m., there was a lot of commotion on 22, a lot of people running in all sorts of different directions,” Wegner said. After reviewing footage the next morning, he added, “It was craziness.”
Another nearby worker described injured victims being moved through surrounding businesses as emergency crews worked. “One of the people that was hurt, the ambulance assisted them over here,” he said, noting the victim had been shot in the leg.
Governor Mikie Sherrill said she had been briefed on the incident and confirmed that her administration was in contact with law enforcement officials. “My thoughts are with those who were injured in the shooting, and with their families,” she said.
In a separate incident involving a Chick-fil-A location in North Carolina, an employee took a very different path when faced with an unexpected situation.
Jaydon Cintron, 18, said he discovered two envelopes containing thousands of dollars while taking a break at a restaurant in Kinston. The envelopes, labeled with bank names, held a combined total of $9,333.
Instead of keeping the money, Cintron brought it to management. He said his decision was shaped by his faith. “That’s not what Jesus would’ve done,” he said. “That’s not what God would’ve wanted.”
He added that character mattered more than cash. “Money is useless without character,” he said, explaining why he chose to turn everything in rather than walk away with it.
Police later confirmed the owner came forward and recovered the money. The individual offered Cintron a $500 reward, which he initially refused before eventually accepting after repeated encouragement.
Local officials praised the teenager’s actions, noting that many people would not have made the same decision. The restaurant’s owner described the moment as a clear example of integrity under no pressure.
In Texas, a separate Chick-fil-A-related case ended with a life sentence after a deadly shooting inside a restaurant.
Oved Bernardo Mendoza Argueta, 38, pleaded guilty to murder and aggravated assault charges stemming from a June 2024 attack at a location in Irving. Two employees were killed and another was injured during the shooting.
Police responded to reports of gunfire that afternoon and found both victims dead at the scene. Argueta fled in a vehicle but was taken into custody the following morning after authorities identified him.
Court records showed his wife worked at the restaurant and witnessed the killings, later providing investigators with information that led to his identification. Prosecutors said Argueta waived his right to appeal as part of his plea agreement.
The sentencing included life in prison for the murder conviction along with additional time for the assault charges, with the terms set to run consecutively.
In another Texas incident, a man reported being threatened at gunpoint in a Chick-fil-A parking lot after a confrontation that he said involved racial slurs.
Kenneth McGaha said he had pulled into a Henderson location and was waiting for his order when an unidentified man approached his vehicle. The encounter quickly turned hostile as the man allegedly reached inside and began making offensive remarks.
“Like he was calling me ‘boy’, I shouldn’t be here. Get your A-word over there,” McGaha said, describing the exchange as it escalated.
He said the situation intensified when the man returned to his truck and came back with a rifle. “I really thought me and my girlfriend were dead,” McGaha said, recalling how close the weapon was during the confrontation.
McGaha drove to a police station afterward and filed a report, asking authorities to pursue charges against the man he said threatened him.
