Woman shot dead near Manchester liquor store

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

The woman's name and hometown have not been released.

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The woman was found with a gunshot wound to the abdomen when Manchester police responded to a report at 4:55 p.m. 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 airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune but died of her injuries, they said.

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

It was unclear whether the incident occurred inside or outside the store, and authorities did not provide additional details Friday. Photos and videos posted on social media showed a massive response by law enforcement, firefighters and emergency medical personnel to the liquor store.

“This incident is currently under investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, Manchester Township Police Department and the 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 as it becomes available,” he said.

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