Investigators are calling the deadly shooting at a Union Township, New Jersey, Chick-fil-A a targeted attack linked to drugs or gangs, not a random act of violence, as they hunt for a group of masked gunmen who stormed the restaurant Saturday night and killed one person while injuring six others.
The Union County Prosecutor’s Office said Sunday that the lone fatality is believed to have been the intended target in the April 11, 2026, assault. The other victims, including restaurant employees working during the Saturday night shift, are thought to have been caught in the crossfire, according to ABC7 New York. All six survivors were treated for injuries that were not life-threatening.
A group of masked individuals entered the fast-food location on Route 22 near Gelb Avenue around 9 p.m., went behind the counter and began shooting, prompting a massive emergency response along the busy commercial strip. Seven victims were found inside when officers arrived. One was declared dead at the scene, the prosecutor’s office confirmed in a Sunday update.
A preliminary review of evidence suggests the public is not facing an ongoing threat, authorities said. No arrests have been announced, and the suspects are still at large. Union County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to an indictment and conviction.
One family member told CBS News New York their loved one witnessed an argument among the gunmen just before the shots were fired. Another witness, a man whose girlfriend works at the Chick-fil-A, said a group of men walked straight behind the counter before opening fire, according to CBS News New York.
The father of a Chick-fil-A employee said his son phoned him in a panic and described multiple masked suspects rushing into the restaurant. After driving to the location, the father described what he encountered as a “warzone.”
Witness video obtained by CBS News New York captured a masked individual running from the building holding a handgun. Other people can be seen fleeing across the parking lot. Another video shows one of the injured victims, awake and lying on a stretcher, receiving treatment from EMTs near an ambulance.
Ben Wegner, who was working at Botera Cannabis across the street, said the aftermath was unlike anything he had seen.
A Lyft driver named Martin told ABC7 New York he was wrapping up a nearby trip when the gunfire started and counted more than seven shots. He said he drove to the Chick-fil-A to get food but found the parking lot surrounded by police cruisers.
Route 22 in Union Township is a heavily trafficked retail corridor where employees from surrounding restaurants and stores witnessed the chaos unfold in real time.
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill released statements both Sunday morning and Sunday afternoon as the investigation developed. She said she had been briefed by local law enforcement and was staying in close contact with officials on the ground.
“We now know that last night’s shooting in Union Township tragically claimed one life and left six others injured,” Sherrill said in her afternoon statement. “Our hearts go out to the victim’s loved ones, and we are hoping for the full recovery of those who were injured.”
Union Township Mayor Patricia Guerra-Frazier called the attack “a painful reminder of the work that remains to ensure the safety of our communities,” adding that “violence has no place in the Township of Union.”
The Union County Prosecutor’s Office is leading the investigation and continues to search for surveillance footage, witness statements, and digital evidence connected to the suspects. Authorities are still trying to pin down a motive, though early signs suggest a dispute involving drugs or gangs. As of Sunday, the names of the victims had not been made public.
The Union Township location remained closed Sunday, as all Chick-fil-A stores are on Sundays, while detectives worked the crime scene. The restaurant is located on a high-traffic section of Route 22 where many employees are young, a detail that has shaken workers at nearby businesses who said the violence hit disturbingly close to home.
Anyone with information has been asked to contact the Union County Prosecutor’s Office. Anonymous tips can be submitted by phone at 908-654-TIPS (8477) or online at uctip.org. The reward of up to $10,000 via Union County Crime Stoppers remains in place as the search for the masked gunmen continues.
