UPDATE (9/18): The New Brunswick Police Department (NBPD) announced the arrests of two men in connection with the “shooting incident,” and that a handgun was recovered at the scene.

Charges of Aggravated Assault, Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Assault, Unlawful Possession of a Handgun, and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose were filed against 18-year-old Ashaan Wroten, of North Brunswick, and 19-year-old Allen Kareem, of New Brunswick.

“The investigation revealed that both individuals were involved in the shooting incident, which left no one injured, however sent individuals in the area “running for cover” when the shots were fired,” reads a statement issued by NBPD Captain JT Miller.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Harry Lemmerling at (732) 745-5217. 

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—On September 17, city police responded to multiple reports of shots fired near the Robeson Village public housing neighborhood in the Fourth Ward.

Two men exchanged seven shots in the parking lot of the city’s Aldi supermarket, hitting at least three cars, according to sources.

The incident took place in broad daylight, shortly before 12:30pm.

It marks at least the second shooting incident in that area during the past ten days.  Robeson Village is one of four public housing projects owned by the New Brunswick Housing Authority (NBHA).

A Bergen Court resident reported that a bullet came very close to her as the two men fired at one another, according to police radio transmissions. 

“One caller… said the bullet went right by her,” said a dispatcher, adding that the caller could not give a description because she was taking cover.

People scattered as the shooters then fled through the public housing complex towards Roosevelt Street and Class Place, according to sources.

On September 7, a 29-year-old man was shot in the face shortly before midnight.  Police have not announced any arrests in that incident.

Police Captain JT Miller quickly responded to an inquiry from New Brunswick Today, confirming the shots fired.

“Yes there was a report of shots fired, it is actively under investigation,” said Miller.

“Looks like the shooters ran up to the corner, the corner around 27,” said a New Brunswick police officer.

Another officer described one suspect as a “black man, heavy set, over 6 feet had a black and grey shirt, kind of like a sports short, maybe with a nubmer on it, and possibly had a beard.”

Another officer clarified the shirt was grey and the sleeves on it were black.

The nearby McKinley Community School, as well as New Brunswick High School, was under a brief “lockout” following the shootout.

“Early this afternoon, both New Brunswick High School & McKinley Community School were placed in a brief ‘lockout’ because of police activity in the area of the schools,” reads the Nixle alert.

“As opposed to a ‘lockdown’, the lockout allows for the normal function of the school to continue but does not allow for entry or exit from the building during that period. At no time were any students or staff in any danger and normal activities were not disrupted.”

Editor at New Brunswick Today | 732-993-9697 | editor@newbrunswicktoday.com | Website

Charlie is the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today, and the winner of the Awbrey Award for Community-Oriented Local Journalism. He is a proud Rutgers University journalism graduate, a community organizer, and a former independent candidate for mayor of New Brunswick.

Charlie is the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today, and the winner of the Awbrey Award for Community-Oriented Local Journalism. He is a proud Rutgers University journalism graduate, a community organizer, and a former independent candidate for mayor of New Brunswick.