Union Township, NJ — Authorities have arrested a suspect in a deadly mass shooting at a Chick-fil-A in New Jersey, revealing he was already on probation for a prior weapons conviction.
Jaheed Fields, a 20-year-old from Newark, was taken into custody Friday in connection with the April 11 shooting at a restaurant along Route 22 in Union Township. The incident left one person dead and six others injured. The victim was identified as 23-year-old Malek Shepherd of New York City.
Prosecutors charged Fields with one count of murder, six counts of attempted murder, and multiple weapons offenses. He is currently being held at Essex County Jail following an initial court appearance, with further proceedings scheduled for June.
Officials said the motive remains unclear but have indicated the shooting does not appear to have been random. Union County Prosecutor William Daniel described the attack as a “brazen” act that endangered public safety in a crowded location.
Court records show Fields had been sentenced to probation last year after being convicted of illegally possessing a handgun without a permit. That prior case is now drawing attention as authorities review the circumstances leading up to the shooting.
The investigation remains ongoing as officials continue to examine the events surrounding the incident.
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