Mother, daughter shot in Linden

LINDEN - A mother and her daughter were shot near their car in the 900 block of Middlesex Street Tuesday night, according to Police Captain James Sarnicki.

Police responded to a report of the shooting at 7:16 p.m. and upon arrival located two females, ages 41 and 15 in the car,who were suffering from gunshot wounds.

Sarnicki said the victims, whose names were not released, were transported to University Hospital in Newark. He said the older woman suffered several gunshot wounds to the torso and pelvic area and is in critical but stable condition.

The younger girl was treated for a gunshot wound to the wrist and a graze wound to the face. She was treated and released from the hospital.

Sarnicki said while police were en route to the scene, it was reported that a Toyota Camry had struck a fence and utility pole at Bower Street and East Henry Street.

According to witnesses, the mother and daughter entered their car when they were approached by a black male wearing a blue or black bubble-type jacket with white lines or white lettering. The man is described as heavy or husky-build, 6-feet tall and is in his 30’s.

Sarnicki said he also had a dark scarf wrapped around his head covering his face except for his eyes. Police said he walked up to the passenger side of the car and exchanged words with the younger victim before she entered the car. He then drew a handgun and fired at the car striking both victims.

The man then fled on foot possibly to a vehicle parked down the street. The victims then drove their vehicle to the corner of Bower Street and East Henry Street where it struck a utility pole.

Sarnicki said investigators believe the victims were targeted and there is no other danger to the community.

The Union County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Unit responded to the two locations to assist Linden officers and detectives processing the scene for evidence.

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Crime Stoppers are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case; tips can be given anonymously by phone at 908-654-TIPS (8477), via text message by texting “UCTIP” plus a message to 274637 (CRIMES), or online at www.uctip.org.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Linden Detectives Ken Mikolajczyk at 908-474-8542 or Steve Zevlikaris at 908-474-8520.

Information can also be emailed to crimetips@lpdnj.org.

Staff Writer Everett Merrill: 908-243-6606; emerrill@mycentraljersey.com