![Millville youth sports coach shot dead while children played](http://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2018/08/Screen-Shot-2018-08-10-at-3.48.01-PM.png?w=980&q=75)
Millville youth sports coach shot dead while children played
MILLVILLE — A youth basketball coach was gunned down in a middle school parking lot while young children played football.
Joseph L. Jones, 37, of Millville, was shot and killed about 8:15 p.m. Thursday in one of the parking lots of Lakeside Middle School.
At least one masked gunmen then fled in a maroon sedan, firing multiple shots at a police officer on Garden Road and Route 55. Officers were not injured and did not return fire, officials said.
Prosecutors said children in the Millville Midget Football League where in the field when the shooting occurred. County officials have offered the youth league help in providing the children with counseling services.
Investigators believe Jones was the intended target but have not said whether they knew what motivated the killer.
Prosecutors ask anyone with information to contact Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office Lt. George Chopek at 609-381-2046.
Tipsters can share anonymous information with investigators by texting 847411 with CCPOTIP in the message line.
More From WPG Talk Radio 95.5 FM
![NJ state police trooper admits punching handcuffed woman in face](http://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2024/05/attachment-Army_Navy_Football_213461715881881.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Routine traffic stop results in 5-year prison sentence for Glassboro, NJ, man](http://townsquare.media/site/564/files/2023/04/attachment-Untitled-design8.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Millville, NJ, police look to identify suspects in shoplifting investigation](http://townsquare.media/site/396/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design177.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Police in Vineland and Millville, NJ, looking for these suspects](http://townsquare.media/site/396/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design176.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Winning $10,000 lottery ticket sold at deli in Millville, NJ](http://townsquare.media/site/396/files/2024/07/attachment-Holly-City.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![23 people arrested in 7 days by Atlantic County, NJ, Sheriff’s Office](http://townsquare.media/site/564/files/2024/04/attachment-Atlantic-County-Sheriffs-Office.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Fugitive NJ truck driver arrested after Route 1 crash killed 3](http://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2024/07/attachment-3-victims-killed-in-April-Route-1-crashbrennacellinifuneralhomes.com-Legacy.com-SaulfuneralhomesSouth-Brunswick-Police-via-X.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Vineland, NJ man gets short prison sentence for sexually assaulting 5 young girls](http://townsquare.media/site/564/files/2023/04/attachment-Untitled-design8.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![2 Cumberland County, NJ, men sentenced for sex crimes against children](http://townsquare.media/site/564/files/2023/04/attachment-Untitled-design8.jpg?w=980&q=75)