On the evening of Saturday, April 11, 2026, a burst of violence shattered the ordinary atmosphere of a Chick-fil-A on Route 22 in Union, New Jersey, leaving one man dead and six others wounded. Malek Shepherd, a 23-year-old from New York City, was identified as the deceased victim in what authorities have described as a targeted attack. The shooting unfolded at approximately 9 p.m.
when masked gunmen reportedly entered the restaurant, advanced behind the counter, and opened fire.
When police arrived at the scene in response to reports of gunfire, they discovered seven individuals with gunshot wounds. Shepherd, a customer at the establishment, was pronounced dead at the scene. The six other victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to local hospitals for treatment.
While no arrests have been made, the Union County Prosecutor's Office has stated that the preliminary investigation suggests the shooting was not a random act of violence and that there is no ongoing threat to the general public. Investigators believe that Malek Shepherd was the intended target of the attack, with some authorities suggesting a possible connection to drugs or gangs.
The investigation is being led by the Union County Prosecutor's Office Homicide Task Force, with assistance from the Union Police Department. Authorities have urged anyone with information to come forward and have offered a reward of up to $10,000 for tips that lead to an indictment and conviction in the case. Surveillance footage has captured an armed individual fleeing the scene. The community has been left shaken by the incident, with a growing memorial of a wooden cross and flowers being placed outside the temporarily closed restaurant.
