Jersey City Mayor Says Gunmen In Deadly Attack Targeted Jewish Grocery

Despite early reports insisting that there was no evidence linking the two shooters who engaged in an hours long gun-battle with police in Jersey City yesterday with any existing hate groups, the city’s mayor changed his tune Tuesday night.

Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop tweeted Tuesday night that authorities have come to the conclusion that the attacks “targeted” the Jewish community, based on their ongoing investigation into the shootout that left three civilians, a detective, and the two suspects dead.

Fulop added that “due to an excess of caution,” businesses in that area might notice an increased police presence in the coming days and weeks.

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

We have been in close contact with the Jewish community in #JerseyCity to help where we can. While we work through details/investigation of today’s incident I know the entire Jersey City community stands together with the Jewish Community during these challenging times. https://t.co/jHDpXitxHP

— Steven Fulop (@StevenFulop) December 11, 2019

Fulop added that his office has been in “close contact” with the Jewish community in the city.

Following Fulop’s lead, NYC Mayor de Blasio also condemned the attack and railed against anti-Semitism in a series of tweets:

Although there is no credible or specific threat directed against New York City, I have directed the NYPD to assume a state of high alert.

Tonight, NYPD assets are being redeployed to protect key locations in the Jewish community. Tomorrow, we will announce additional measures.

— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) December 11, 2019

DeBlasio also ordered police to remain on “high alert”, even though there were no attacks in NYC. On an otherwise quiet Tuesday, gunshots erupted in the streets. Detective Joseph Seals was killed in the gun battle that kicked off at about 12:30 pm, when police responded to reports of gunfire near the Jewish grocery on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

The preliminary investigation suggests Seals, a 39-yearr-old father of five, was killed while trying to interdict “the bad guys” at a cemetery on Garfield Avenue, said Jersey City Police Chief Michael Kelly.

It’s not clear what Fulop meant when he said the store was “targeted,” but Kelly said earlier Tuesday the shooting was not believed to be terror related.

Aside from Seals, three civilians inside the supermarket, along with both suspects, were killed in the shootout.