Girl, 9, is hit and killed by a stray bullet fired during a shootout while she was in bed asleep
- Bridgeton police say the shooting was reported around 12.30am Tuesday
- Relatives drove the girl to a hospital but she was pronounced dead there a short time later
- Bullets were said to have flown east down Elmer, hitting several of the vehicles in the area
- The nine-year-old victim has been identified as Jennifer 'Chikis' Trejo
Pictured: Jennifer Trego ,the nine-year-old girl killed inside her southern New Jersey home Tuesday morning
Authorities say a stray bullet struck and killed a nine-year-old girl inside her southern New Jersey home.
Bridgeton police say the shooting was reported around 12.30am Tuesday.
They say relatives drove the girl, identified as Jennifer 'Chikis' Trejo, to a hospital but she was pronounced dead there a short time later.
Police are asking the public for help in finding the suspect responsible.
Bullets were said to have flown east down Elmer, hitting several of the vehicles in the area.
The shooting occurred about a block away from the girl's home.
Authorities say the stray bullet that killed the girl went through the home's rear wall and into an adjacent room where it hit her.
No other injuries were reported in the shooting.
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Police said bullets hit several of the vehicles in the area of east Elmer
A $10,000 reward is being offered for anyone with information leading to the suspect's arrest
'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,' Chief Michael Gaimari said, according to 6 ABC.
Gaimari added that there will be an increased presence of police in the area in efforts to 'curb the tensions there.'
Bridgeton police are working with Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office on the case.
Deacon Arnaldo Santos of Bridgeton's Parish of the Holy Cross has worked with the family to run services for the victim.
'The family needs privacy at this time, and right now we're just working through everything with them,' Santos said to the Daily Journal.
'It's a very difficult time and the family is asking the community for love. That's what they really need.'
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