01 September,2012 04:39 AM IST | | Agencies
One of the victims was reportedly an 18-year-old woman who had only recently started working at the supermarket.
Scene of the crime: The supermarket in New Jersey where the shooting occurred
The gunman was a disgruntled employee and an ex-Marine who had also been a recent hire at the store, and had been working there for only about two weeks.u00a0It was not immediately clear what prompted the violence at the Pathmark Supermarket in Old Bridge, New Jersey, New York City.
Old Bridge Mayor Owen Henry said that the shooting took place about 4 am (local time), and confirmed that three people were killed, including the gunman. Officials did not reveal the identities of the gunman or the victims.
Several store windows were also shot out during the incident.u00a0Residents who live nearby were shocked by the early morning outburst of violence.
"This is sickening," said Sarah Reese, who lives in an apartment complex next to the supermarket.u00a0Said the mayor about the call informing him of the shooting, "This is the worst phone call a mayor can receive. ... You can prepare for these things but you can't prevent them."
