A 9-year-old girl died early Tuesday morning when a stray bullet struck her as she slept in her bed.
Jennifer Trejo was pronounced dead after her family rushed her to Inspira Hospital after a bullet from a shooting a block away from her Bridgeton home went through a wall of her home and hit her.
"We need the public's help in general, but when an incident such as this happens to such a young and innocent victim, we could really use the assistance in bringing those responsible to justice immediately," Police Chief Michael Gaimari said.
A $10,000 reward was announced by Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae at a 4 p.m. news conference.
Police were called to the area of Elmer Street at about 12:30 a.m. for reports of shots fired, Gaimari said.
They arrived at Church and Elmer streets to find the girl's family rushing her to Inspira Hospital, where she was pronounced dead a short time later.
Officers found another crime scene about a block away, near the intersection of Elmer and Walnut streets, Gaimari said.
It appears that an unknown subject or subjects fired several shots from that area east, striking several vehicles, with one bullet entering the victim's home through a rear wall, according to a preliminary investigation.
The girl, who was in the room next to the wall, was struck.
Police have not released the girl's name at this time.
Police presence will increase in the area in an effort to curb tensions and develop leads in the investigation.
Detectives and officers have interviewed dozens of individuals and were continuing with a canvass of the area this morning.
Anyone with information is asked to call Bridgeton Police at 856-451-0033 or anonymously text tip411 (847411) beginning the text with “BRIDGETON.”
