Detectives from the Bridgeton Police Dept. and the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office are continuing the investigation into the fatal shooting of a nine-year-old who was apparently struck by stray bullet while she was inside her residence.
Chief of Police Michael A. Gaimari Sr. said that officers were called to the area of Elmer Street for reports of shots being fired at approximately 12:30 this morning.
Upon arrival, police found Jennifer Trejo’s family transporting her to Inspira Hospital in Bridgeton where she was pronounced deceased a short time after they arrived.
According to officials, officers canvassing the area located another crime scene approximately one block away, near the intersection of Elmer and Walnut streets.
A preliminary investigation indicates that an unknown subject or subjects fired several shots from the vicinity of Elmer and Walnut streets east on Elmer striking several vehicles and ultimately entering the victim’s home through a rear wall striking the young victim who was in the room adjacent to the wall struck.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Bridgeton Police at 451-0033 or utilize the department’s TIP411 anonymous TEXT line subtitle, “BRIDGETON.” Authorities are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the conviction of those responsible.
“We need the public’s help in general, but when an incident such as this happens to such a young and innocent victim we could really use the assistance in bringing those responsible to justice immediately,” Gaimari said. He added that police presence in the area will increase in an effort to curb the tensions there and develop information on the shooting.