Family says pastor shot in Newark was not intended target

ByEyewitness News WABC logo
Friday, August 25, 2023
Family says pastor shot in NJ was not intended target
Police in New Jersey are searching for the gunman who shot a local pastor on Thursday. Crystal Cranmore has the latest.

NEWARK, New Jersey (WABC) -- Police in New Jersey are searching for the gunman who shot a local pastor on Thursday.

Officers responded to a call of a shooting that took place just after 2 a.m. on Fourth Street near Dickerson Street.

The victim's son said his father is a pastor and is recovering in the hospital, where he is said to be critical but stable.

The family of Pastor Timothy Huff said the reverend is well-liked and was caught in the crossfire of what they call senseless violence.

Bullets went through the living room wall and hit Huff in the chest while he was sitting on the couch.

His family said just 30 minutes before the shooting a group of young women vandalized a car in the driveway.

The family called police and scared them away only for two of them to return.

Huff has been preaching for more than a decade. He preaches at Green Pasteur Missionary Baptist Church in East Orange.

He turned his life around and became a new man and started helping others.

While Huff's family said they aren't sure why this happened, they have their suspicions as to who might be responsible.

The investigation remains ongoing.

ALSO READ | Man charged in 'horrific' hammer attack that left 1 dead, 2 children injured

The children, a 5-year-old boy and 3-year-old girl, are fighting for their lives in what police described as a "horrific and a senseless act of violence." Janice Yu reports.

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