A chaotic scene unfolded at a Chick-fil-A restaurant in New Jersey late Saturday, where gunfire inside the eatery left several people hurt and sparked a large police response.
According to the New York Post, authorities were called to the location on Route 22 in Union just before 9 p.m., after reports that a group of men forced their way into the restaurant and opened fire.
Witnesses said the suspects entered the business and moved behind the counter before shots rang out, sending employees and customers scrambling.
A man who said his girlfriend works at the restaurant described the frightening sequence of events, telling local media that multiple masked individuals stormed in and began shooting after pushing past staff.
Another account from a worker’s family member indicated that an altercation may have preceded the violence, though officials have not confirmed what led up to the shooting.
“I heard the shots,” a Lyft driver told WABC.
“When i finished the trip I go to Chick-fil-A to buy two burgers — I see the police, I heard the shots very close.”
The sudden eruption of violence left the scene in disarray. One worker’s father described the aftermath in stark terms, calling it a “warzone.”
Emergency responders quickly flooded the area, and the restaurant was placed on lockdown as officers secured the scene. Some employees were reportedly still inside as investigators worked to piece together what happened.
Police have not yet confirmed how many people were injured, nor have they said whether there were any fatalities.
A heavy law enforcement presence remained at the site late into the night, with officers canvassing the parking lot and blocking off access to the surrounding area.
The Union County Prosecutor’s Office is now leading the investigation, though few details have been released so far.
Authorities have not identified any suspects or announced arrests.
