Two men were shot Monday night outside a New Jersey concert featuring rappers J. Cole and Big Sean. Both victims are in critical condition, according to authorities.
New Jersey officials say the shooting happened at around 11:15 p.m. outside of the PNC Bank Arts Arena in Holmdel Township, where the hip-hop concert had just ended. Witnesses were walking to their cars when they saw the men get shot in the parking lot.
Mike Lefanto told NY Daily News he and his 13-year-old daughter were walking to their car when they saw the two men saying something to a woman and “talking about her body.” An unidentified man suddenly approached them and fired at least seven shots, he said.
“He took those two dudes out right away,” Lefanto said. “It looked like he knew what he was doing.”
Another witness, 18-year-old Omayma Bougdour, told Daily News the shooting was “over an argument” that started in the parking lot. She said she was walking to her vehicle when she heard the shots.
“Everyone started sprinting and stampeding,” she said. She added that after both men had been injured, one was unresponsive, while the other was pleading for a drink of water.
The victims were taken to Jersey Shore Hospital where both men remain in critical condition, according to New Jersey State Police Sgt. Gregory Williams.
He added that officials have yet to identify the shooter, but police are searching a wooded area for the suspect.
The concert was a part of J.Cole’s Forest Hills Drive Tour. Big Sean also performed at the event, and both rappers are scheduled to perform at Madison Square Garden Tuesday.
