Vigil honors victims of 2019 antisemitic shooting in Jersey City
JERSEY CITY, New Jersey (WABC) -- A vigil was held in Jersey City Thursday night to remember the victims of a 2019 antisemitic shooting.
At the vigil commemorating the three years since the deadly shooting at a local kosher grocery store, NJ First Lady Tammy Murphy said, "Detective Joseph Seals, Mindy Ferentz, Moshe Deutsh, Douglas Miguel Rodriguez, and Michael Rumberger. They were spouses, parents, children, neighbors and friends."
Investigators say two gunmen, 47-year-old David Anderson and 50-year-old Francine Graham, killed 13-year veteran Detective Joseph Seals.
They then targeted the Jewish deli and killed three people inside the store including 24-year-old Moshe Deutsch, 49-year-old Douglas Miguel Rodriguez, and 31-year-old Mindy Ferencz.
Later, investigators determined the pair had killed a fifth victim, who was their Uber driver, Michael Rumberger.
Police shot and killed both of the suspects.
Everyone who saw the scene that night or that next day will never forget how much worse it could have been.
As horrifying as the attack was three years ago, it was far from an isolated event. In fact, the experts say it was just a drop from of their hatred.
In early 2020, officials said there was evidence that the suspects had been planning the attack for months.
The gunman allegedly checked out the JC Kosher Market on Martin Luther King Drive on at least two occasions and entered the store during one of them, even driving by the business twice on the day of the shootings.
In the years since these lives were lost, antisemitism has been on the rise.
In New York and New Jersey, 2019 was the worst year for antisemitic hate crimes until 2021. 2022 is now on track to beat that record.
"It's tough to be constantly battling this and to see it coming at you from all different places," said Scott Richman, director of the Anti-Defamation League in New York and New Jersey.
ALSO READ | Suspect in string of shootings surrenders after extensive manhunt
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
