Linden Police Officers responded to a fatal shooting incident on Friday, Sept. 22, in the parking lot of Crump Food Store located in the 700-Block of West Houston Street.
According to Linden Police Chief David Dulude, the incident happened shortly after 3:30 p.m. Witnesses at the scene reported that a store employee, identified as Larry Lawrence, 39, of Queen City, was in the process of placing groceries in the rear seat of a vehicle, where a dog was located.
While interacting with the dog, a .22 rifle, which was also in the rear seat of the vehicle, discharged and struck Lawrence in the chest. Onlookers immediately provided resuscitative measures to Lawrence.
Paramedics and police were called to the scene, and upon their arrival, EMS personnel took over administering life-saving measures to Lawrence. Tragically, he was pronounced deceased at the helipad site.
Chief Dulude stated that although the incident appears to be accidental at this time, the case is currently under investigation. He added, "It is unclear of the means of the discharge at this time."
