Authorities: Multiple people dead, including police detective, in Jersey City shooting

Authorities in Jersey City have confirmed multiple people are dead, including a police detective, following a shooting today in Jersey City.

News 12 Staff

Dec 10, 2019, 9:13 PM

Updated 1,610 days ago

Share:

Authorities in Jersey City have confirmed multiple people are dead, including a police detective, following a shooting today in Jersey City.
The fallen officer has been identified as Det. Joseph Seals, a 15-year veteran of the department. He was married with five children. Seals helped get dozens of guns off of the streets as part of the department's Cease Fire Unit.

"We cried with the family. It's one of the hardest things you have to see in your entire life. I mean, nobody expected that Det. Seals would not return home. I'm sure his children expected him to return home and sometimes people don't appreciate the tough work that these police officers do every single day. Every day, they put on that uniform and they take their lives in their own hands and do it for the better part of a city like Jersey City," said Mayor Steven Fulop.
Although officials initially stated that the attack was not terror-related, Fulop tweeted Tuesday night that the location that was attacked had been targeted. He did not clarify further.
Jersey City Police Chief Mike Kelly said in a news conference the incident began at Bayview Cemetery around 12 p.m. He said there was gunfire between officers and the suspects, and it is believed that is where Seals was killed.
Kelly says the suspects took off in a stolen U-Haul van, which is being investigated by the bomb squad for possible incendiary devices.
The suspects then arrived at JC Kosher Supermarket on Martin Luther King Drive and began shooting inside.
Five additional people were found dead at the scene, according to Chief Kelly. He says two of those five are believed to be "bad guys."
The Hudson County Prosecutor's Office says two additional officers were also struck by gunfire. Officials say Ray Sanchez and Mariela Fernandez were the officers injured -- one in the shoulder and the other in the body. Both were treated and released from the hospital. A civilian was also injured.

A witness also told News 12 that two men with large guns wearing black got out of a truck and began shooting.
Several roads were shut down and all Jersey City schools were placed on lockdown after the shooting near Martin Luther King Drive and Bayview Avenue. All schools were systematically released at 4:15 p.m., according to Fulop.
SWAT teams responded to the scene, along with the NYPD bomb unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Heavy gunfire was heard during the standoff. Video shows a line of police officers armed with weapons pointed in several directions walking down the sidewalk.
AP wire services helped contribute to this report.
WATCH: Authorities hold news conference on Jersey City shooting

WATCH: Gov. Murphy thanks police for response during Jersey City shootout


More from News 12
0:27
Rye police: Car burglary highlights need to lock vehicles

Rye police: Car burglary highlights need to lock vehicles

2:34
Summerlike afternoon with highs in 80, rain and big cool down coming

Summerlike afternoon with highs in 80, rain and big cool down coming

0:48
Rockland community unites to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day

Rockland community unites to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day

1:46
Fire officials: Fatal Ossining fire doesn't appear to be suspicious

Fire officials: Fatal Ossining fire doesn't appear to be suspicious

0:30
‘We are heartbroken.’ Loved ones search for answers in case of missing New Paltz woman

‘We are heartbroken.’ Loved ones search for answers in case of missing New Paltz woman

0:19
Rabies alert issued in Sullivan County after fox tests positive

Rabies alert issued in Sullivan County after fox tests positive

1:14
Headlines: Woman stabbed in White Plains, fatal crash on I-84, body of missing guardsman found

Headlines: Woman stabbed in White Plains, fatal crash on I-84, body of missing guardsman found

0:20
Parents, NYCLU rally in Albany to demand changes in E. Ramapo schools

Parents, NYCLU rally in Albany to demand changes in E. Ramapo schools

0:40
New York honors fallen police officers with memorial wall dedication

New York honors fallen police officers with memorial wall dedication

0:28
Trial of Wallkill man suspected of hiring someone to kill his neighbor begins today

Trial of Wallkill man suspected of hiring someone to kill his neighbor begins today

0:32
SUNY Purchase agrees to suspend disciplinary consequences for protester arrested during campus demonstrations

SUNY Purchase agrees to suspend disciplinary consequences for protester arrested during campus demonstrations

0:38
Local thrift store hits $4 million in charitable giving to Northern Westchester hospital

Local thrift store hits $4 million in charitable giving to Northern Westchester hospital

0:31
Orange County school districts poised to implement wards for school board elections

Orange County school districts poised to implement wards for school board elections

0:30
New Rochelle maintains current elementary school start times despite cost concerns

New Rochelle maintains current elementary school start times despite cost concerns

0:21
Small business owners recognized for contributions during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Small business owners recognized for contributions during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

1:08
Sleepy Hollow music festival to debut with indie rock band Cold War Kids headlining

Sleepy Hollow music festival to debut with indie rock band Cold War Kids headlining

1:43
Garden Guide: These plants repel weeds and are a natural fertilizer!

Garden Guide: These plants repel weeds and are a natural fertilizer!

0:22
Trocheck's power-play goal lifts Rangers to 4-3 win over Hurricanes in 2OT for 2-0 series lead

Trocheck's power-play goal lifts Rangers to 4-3 win over Hurricanes in 2OT for 2-0 series lead

1:46
 21-year-old SUNY Purchase art student overcomes childhood trauma through music

21-year-old SUNY Purchase art student overcomes childhood trauma through music

2:46
8 tips for children walking or bicycling to school

8 tips for children walking or bicycling to school