Two people were found dead Saturday with gunshot wounds in what authorities described as a double homicide
Lauren Semanchik, 33, of Pittstown, and Tyler Webb, 29, of Forked River, were killed in apparent targeted shooting in the Pittstown section of Franklin Township, according to the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office.
The time of the shooting was not provided by authorities, but neighbors told NJ Advance Media they heard loud bangs on Friday night that they initially believed to be fireworks.
While a prosecutor’s office representative would not say if they’ve identified a suspect or arrested anyone in the killings, officials said there is no danger to the public.
Franklin Township police responded to the house on Upper Kingtown Road at about 12:22 p.m. Saturday for a report of an unconscious female with apparent physical trauma, according to a news release.
When officers arrived at the home, they found two people dead with gunshot wounds.
There was heavy police activity outside the two-story home on Saturday afternoon. Police at the scene declined to share any details about what occurred at the house.
Five or six police cars were parked in the driveway, and another five to six police cars were in the street near the house earlier in the day.
The residence is located on a hill in a quiet, wooded area of Pittstown.
“It’s calm — nothing ever happens. It’s very family oriented and very safe,” neighbor Luis Luna told NJ Advance Media. “It’s sad and shocking. It’s very surprising to hear this happening.”
Another neighbor reported hearing what sounded like gunshots Friday night around dusk. The man, who did not want to provide his name, said he initially thought it was firecrackers.
“I was inside somewhere before dark and I heard some sounds that sounded like gunshot, firecrackers,” he said.
He also said he heard “somebody yelling like being surprised, like a high-pitched voice. Again, I was inside, so it’s a little hard. And a couple more noises and then it was quiet.”
The shooting remains under investigation by the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Detective Sgt. David Petelle or Detective Quayshaun Brooks at 908-788-1129. Information can also be sent anonymously to the Hunterdon County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-800-321-0010.
