2 killed, 6 seriously injured in New Brunswick shooting early Sunday morning
Cheryl MakinNEW BRUNSWICK – Two men were killed and six other people were injured in a shooting early Sunday morning near Rutgers University, authorities said.
UPDATE: Rising actor killed in New Brunswick shooting
Police responded to the area of 32 Delafield St. just before 1:20 a.m. and found eight people with gunshot wounds. The victims were taken to various area hospitals and two men were pronounced dead at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and New Brunswick Police Director Anthony A. Caputo said in a statement.
According to his Facebook page, local actor and Franklin High School 2010 graduate Lionel M. Macauley, 28, is said to have died in the shooting.
Neither victim has been officially identified by authorities, but friends have posted dozens of condolences to Mccauley's page, many praising his talent and personality.
"I’m so in shock I don’t even know what to say," wrote Joanne Bautista.
"I’m speechless," wrote Dominé Spinelli. "Lionel M. Macauley, you are a star. I always knew it, you never boasted about it, you just went harder and harder. You were a kindred light unto this world and for someone to take that light like this is disgusting."
"This makes no sense," wrote Kaevon Weaber. "I literally just saw you yesterday at my job... and got to ask you about your trip while you asked me if I've been keeping up with my fitness and hobbies. The last thing I said to you was that I was glad to see you're seeing the world as much as you wanted to while establishing yourself, you deserved it. You were very bright, talented, charismatic, a natural leader and always a genuine pleasure to be around. I'm so sorry and devastated to hear this news. R.I.P. will always be missed."
Shooting not affiliated with Rutgers, authorities say
Rutgers Police Chief Kenneth Cop said in a statement an unknown suspect fired several shots striking individuals at a house party. Cop said the injuries were serious.
The investigation has determined the shooting has no affiliation with Rutgers University or its students, authorities said.
Information about the description of the suspect was limited, Cop said. The area remained under investigation late Sunday morning and the public was asked to avoid the area.
No additional information, including a possible motive, was released by authorities.
The shooting is being investigated by the New Brunswick Police Department and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Erika DiMarcello of the New Brunswick Police Department at 732-745-5200, or Detective Julissa Alvarado of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-745-3848.
Email: cmakin@gannettnj.com
Cheryl Makin is a features reporter for MyCentralJersey.com. To get unlimited access to her award-winning work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.