Jersey City’s mayor said Tuesday evening on Twitter that two gunmen had singled out the Jewish market in the deadly gun battle that had killed six people earlier in the day.
Mayor Steven Fulop warned the city to expect further security measures in future days while adding that no specific threats were known.
“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,” Mr. Fulop wrote.
He did not immediately specify whether that meant the attackers were motivated by anti-Semitism, nor did he identify them as Islamists, neo-Nazis or other Jew-hating groups.
But the mayor’s claim was contrary to what authorities had been saying all day about the melee that left dead — a policeman, two gunmen and three bystanders at a Jewish supermarket.
City Public Safety Director James Shea had said the bloodshed was not an act of terrorism. Officials had said Detective Joseph Seals was engaged in a homicide investigation when he approached two men near a cemetery and was cut down by gunfire.
The attackers then drove a stolen rental van about a mile to another part of Jersey City, where they attacked the Jersey City Kosher Supermarket and held off police in a lengthy shootout using high-power rifles.
Five bodies were found inside — three patrons or employees and the two attackers. Two police officers were wounded but were released from hospital.
No names of the deceased besides Mr. Seals had been released Tuesday evening.
Authorities told reporters they were sure the three innocent people were shot by the attackers, not by police.
According to the Associated Press, the Jersey City Kosher Supermarket “is a central fixture in a growing community of Orthodox Jews who have been moving to Jersey City in recent years.”
• This article was based in part on wire-service reports.
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.