Salem, New Jersey shooting leaves 13-year-old boy dead

SALEM, NJ (WPVI) — Investigators are still searching for the person who shot and killed a 13-year-old in Salem, New Jersey.

Flowers line the porch where the victim was gunned down outside his Salem home around 10:30 p.m. Thursday night.

Authorities say the teenager did not respond when police responded to the scene on 9th Street.

He was pronounced dead at Salem Medical Center.

“It’s a trauma. I just saw him earlier. It’s sad,” Daffonie Moore said, fighting back tears.

She says the victim – her neighbor – often sat on her front door.

She said the middle school student was always nice and helpful.

“I was coming home from work and he was sitting here offering to help me with groceries and things like that,” Moore said. “He used to call me ‘the neighbor.’ It was funny because he always said ‘Hello neighbor!’ And he would tell the other kids, ‘That’s my neighbor!’”

The Moores only later realized bullets went through the side of their home.

“They shot up the dining room windows and they shot the kitchen window,” said Joelyn Moore. “We had just gone upstairs when this all happened.”

It is unclear what led to this shooting or a motive.

Salem Mayor Jody Veler says officials are actively trying to start more youth programs in Salem and are working with nonprofit organizations to stop gun violence among youth.

“We can’t do any better for them. I’m so sorry,” Veler said. “But we will do whatever we can to partner with other nonprofits to bring programs to the city.”

Police have not released the victim’s name.

Anyone with information should contact the Salem County Attorney’s Office or the Salem Police Department.

Tips can be given anonymously using the tip form on Salemcountyproscutor.org.