An off-duty employee of Morey's Piers was critically wounded in a shooting incident this past Tuesday in Wildwood, as confirmed by law enforcement officials. The search for the gunman is underway, with the area around the 3800 block of Pacific Avenue, not far from the popular boardwalk, becoming an unexpected crime scene around 10:30 p.m.
The victim, a young woman in her early 20s and an international student working at Ocean Oasis Water Park at Morey's Piers, was reportedly not the intended target of the shooting, investigators shared. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time when she was struck by what is believed to be a stray bullet. Taken to the hospital, she remains in critical condition.
In a statement obtained by FOX29, Morey's Piers expressed their distress regarding the incident: "We are shocked and deeply concerned about one of our employees, who was the victim of gun violence last night," highlighting the impact of the event on the community and the support being extended to the victim's family during what is described as an "incredibly challenging time."
Local residents have felt a palpable increase in anxiety as the suspect remains at large. A nearby establishment, Cattle 'n Clover, even posted signs for customers who had left their belongings behind during the incident. The spokeswoman for Morey's Piers also confirmed the victim's status as an international student to NBC10, with a law enforcement source corroborating this information. The Morey's Piers family is now rallying around their injured member and her family as they navigate the aftermath of the violence.
The unsettling nature of the shooting has resonated throughout the community, as local resident Christina McKinstry told 6abc Action News, "I just would like answers. I think we all would," reflecting the unease that has gripped local families who are now confronting the reality that such a violent act occurred within close proximity of their homes. The Wildwood community awaits further developments as the investigation continues and calls for coordination and assistance in capturing the suspect intensify.
