Fairfield, NJ — A deadly shooting at a local hotel in this northern New Jersey town left one person dead and another critically injured on Friday, stirring fears and uncertainty among guests and residents. The incident unfolded around midday at the Ramada Inn located just off Interstate 80 on Two Bridges Road, as confirmed by area police.
Upon receiving notification of gunshots at the hotel, law enforcement authorities arrived to discover two individuals suffering from gunshot wounds. Emergency medical teams swiftly transported the victims to a nearby hospital where one succumbed to their injuries approximately an hour later. The second victim is currently undergoing critical surgical treatment.
Investigators are probing the circumstances that led up to the violent encounter, with initial findings suggesting a third person might have been involved who acted as the shooter. According to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the evidence at the scene ruled out the possibility of a murder-suicide, triggering an active search for the suspect or suspects responsible for this crime.
As the inquiry presses on, the entire hotel premises remain cordoned off, with yellow crime scene tape marking its perimeter well into the late hours. Hotel occupants, temporarily restricted from leaving, found makeshift exits to the parking lot, which was dotted with police vehicles and curious onlookers trying to piece together the events.
The atmosphere was charged with confusion and concern among the guests, who were initially caught off-guard by the lockdown. “It was a surreal experience, quite frightening to be honest,” an unnamed guest recounted, reflecting the anxiety that gripped them following the unexpected violence.
Authorities have yet to pinpoint a motive behind the shooting and no arrests have been made. However, police reassured the public, stating there seems to be no imminent threat following the tragic incident.
Local officials and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office are urging anyone with information to come forward to assist with the ongoing investigation. As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, the longer-term repercussions on local security and hotel operations also loom as topics of concern for both residents and authorities alike.
Meanwhile, the local community and guests at the Ramada Inn are left to hope for swift justice and answers that could provide closure to this unexpected burst of violence in their vicinity.