Man shot multiple times at library in Freehold, NJ

FREEHOLD, New Jersey -- Gunfire erupted Thursday afternoon at a library in Freehold, New Jersey.

A man was shot several times in the middle of the afternoon at the library on East Main Street in downtown Freehold.

"I heard gunshots. And it was very odd, middle of the day, so I thought maybe it's a car," Elizabeth Porshay said.

Elizabeth Porshay, who works nearby, realized she had just indeed heard two gunshots just after 4 oclock and then saw a wounded victim taken out on a stretcher.

"He wasn't moving. I don't know if- He seemed to be alive. It was very strange that this happened inside a library. Very scary," Porshay said.

Nashay Richardson told Eyewitness News that the victim was a childhood friend of hers and is now in his early 20's.

"I honestly don't know why he was targeted. I can't speak on that. But regardless. The fact of the matter is, he shouldn't have been," Richardson said.

The Monmouth County Prosecutor's office is investigating and calling it an isolated incident, with no known further danger to the community.

Richardson says whatever the dispute was over, this was unnecessary and aggressive.

"I think it's just everybody's mind is so wrapped around and consumed in negativity and bad stuff, and it just consumes the youth," Richardson said.

The victim was taken to a hospital, but there has been no update on his condition.

Authorities have not said whether a suspect is in custody. T

They are asking anyone with information on this shooting to call the Freehold Police

The library says that while its staff is safe, they expect to stay closed until Monday.

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