An apparent murder-suicide attempt over a woman that took place in two stores at popular Atlantic City outlets left one man dead and the gunman hurt Thursday.
Gunfire rang out around noon at the foot of the Atlantic City Expressway – in the heart of the Tanger Outlets' The Walk.
Atlantic City police said the shooting scene spread across two stores and appeared to be a murder-attempted suicide as one gunshot wound was self-inflicted.
Christopher Romero, a 26-year-old manager at the Zumiez clothing store, was shot while working, store employees and officials said.
UPDATE. Victim has died from his injuries. A male suspect, who sustained a self inflicted gunshot wound, is in custody. Weapon recovered.
— Atlantic City Police (@AtlanticCityPD) September 1, 2016
We currently have one person detained in reference to this incident.
— Atlantic City Police (@AtlanticCityPD) September 1, 2016
The incident at the Walk in Atlantic City is not an active shooter situation.
— Atlantic City Police (@AtlanticCityPD) September 1, 2016
The shooter, identified as 55-year-old Lewis Maisonet, then walked across Arkansas Avenue to White House Black Market. He turned the gun on himself after being confronted by an off-duty police officer from out of town, law enforcement sources said.
Law enforcement sources told NBC10 Jersey Shore Bureau reporter Ted Greenberg it appears Romero was dating Maisonet's ex-girlfriend.
Maisonet was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment where he was last listed in critical condition.
Romero's co-workers expressed shock over the deadly shooting.
Local
Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood.
"I immediately started crying," Anthony Acosta, a Zumiez employee said. "We're all a family here so basically one goes down, we all go down. It's very upsetting."
Stores in the area were locked down, leaving shoppers sheltered inside for at least 20 minutes, as police determined the scope of the shooting.
The shooting happened a few hours before the Zac Brown Band performed a concert on the beach a few blocks away. Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian said 30,000 people were expected to attend.
Police warned motorists to use Route 30 and Route 40 to get into and out of town as they continued their investigation.
SUICIDE PREVENTION HELP: The National Suicide Prevention Hotline (1-800-273-8255) is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
