2 dead, 4 in custody in Meadowlands parking lot shooting

EAST RUTHERFORD — Two people are dead following a shooting in the parking lot of the Meadowlands horse racing track on Sunday night, according to State Police.

State Police Sgt. Lawrence Peele said the shooting appears to be an isolated incident and there is "no perceived threat" to the public, according to Peele. But state police later said in a press release the men charged "may have committed additional crimes in the area" — though they didn't say what crimes, or where.

Troopers investigating the shooting found two men with gunshot wounds inside an Acura sedan, police said. A 22-year-old passenger was pronounced deceased at the scene, and a 21-year-old driver was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

This story has been updated to include recently released details on the incident and the identities of those charged.

State Police said in a press release issued mid-day that Tariq Gathers, 24,
Victor Geslicki, 19, Nyshun Morris, 19, and a 16-year-old male, all of Jersey City, were arrested and charged with murder.

A trooper with the State Police Troop B was patrolling when he heard gunshots coming from the area of the parking lot, police said. The trooper saw three males running from the area and entering a dark Audi SUV that fled the scene, police said. The Audi had been reported stolen from Tenalfy, Police said.

The trooper tried to stop the vehicle, but it attempted to flee onto Route 120, where it stuck a cement divider and became disabled, police said.

Four people fled on foot toward the Izod Center but were caught shortly after the crash, police said. One of those had been found by a security guard, an American Dream employee told NBC 4 New York, but state police didn't address that claim in a news release about the incident.

Detectives recovered a .38 caliber revolver and a 9 mm handgun from the SUV, police said.

No fans were at the Jets game, but American Dream is open until 7 p.m. on Sundays. The Jurassic Quest drive-thru attraction in parking lot E of the stadium was open until 8 p.m.

Route 120 remained closed until just before 7 a.m. on Monday morning.