Woman Killed In Shooting Near Manchester Liquor Store

MANCHESTER, NJ — A 25-year-old woman died Thursday following a shooting in Manchester, authorities said Friday.

The woman's name and hometown were not released.

The woman was found with a gunshot wound to the stomach when Manchester police responded to a 4:55 p.m. report of a shooting in the area of Ridgeway Road and Hope Chapel Road, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Manchester Police Chief Antonio Ellis said in a joint news release.

She was flown to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune but succumbed to her injuries, they said.

The incident happened near Ridgeway Liquors, Manchester police had said in an alert Thursday evening when they closed both roads.

It was not clear whether it happened inside the store or outside, and authorities did not provide additional details on Friday. Photos and videos posted to social media showed an extensive response by law enforcement, fire companies and emergency medical personnel at the liquor store.

"This incident is currently under investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Manchester Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit; there is no known danger to the public at this time," Billhimer said.

"Additional information will be released when it becomes available," he said.

Authorities reopened both roads about 90 minutes after the shooting was reported.