Campus Alert Archive
Rutgers

Asleep Above the Golden Rail: Rutgers Student Shot by Stray Bullet as Gang Violence Erupts on Easton Avenue

NJshootingemergency notificationmedium confidence
Confirmed Threat

At approximately 2:03 AM on April 5, 2024, a barrage of gunshots was fired on the corner of Easton Avenue and Hamilton Street near the Rutgers-New Brunswick campus. A 21-year-old Rutgers student was shot by a stray bullet while asleep in her apartment above the Golden Rail Pub, and a second person affiliated with the university was also injured. Rutgers issued an emergency alert and three men associated with the Bloods gang were arrested.

Alerts
2
Response
—
Killed
0
Injured
2
Institution
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Public R1 · NJ
~50,637 studentsRU Alert
Confirmed Timeline

Alert Sequence

2 messages in sequence

Some alert texts below are approximate reconstructions from news coverage, not confirmed verbatim transcripts. Reconstructed texts are shown in italic with a dashed border. Verified verbatim texts have a solid border and are marked accordingly.

INITIAL ALERTSMS
Approximate reconstruction136 chars
RUTGERS ALERT: Shooting reported at Easton Ave and Hamilton St. Avoid the area. RUPD and New Brunswick PD responding. Updates to follow.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

Reconstructed from the Daily Targum and multiple news sources covering the shooting; the alert was sent via text to the Rutgers community
Easton Avenue and Hamilton Street is a popular nightlife corridor near the College Avenue campus
The shooting occurred around 2:03 AM EDT, with the emergency alert sent shortly after
UPDATEEmail
Approximate reconstruction294 chars
RUTGERS ALERT UPDATE: Two individuals were injured in the shooting at Easton Ave and Hamilton St early this morning. RUPD is working with New Brunswick PD on the investigation. Increased police presence will be in effect in the area. Anyone with information should contact RUPD at 848-932-7211.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

Reconstructed from multiple news sources; RUPD collaborated with New Brunswick Police on the investigation
The university increased police presence in the Easton Avenue area following the shooting
Context

Background

At approximately 2:03 AM on April 5, 2024, gunshots erupted at the corner of Easton Avenue and Hamilton Street near the Rutgers University-New Brunswick College Avenue campus. A group of men associated with the Bloods gang indiscriminately fired a barrage of gunshots in the direction of the Golden Rail Pub while about a dozen college students stood outside. A 21-year-old Rutgers student was shot in the stomach by a stray bullet while asleep in her apartment above the bar, requiring multiple surgeries and facing potential paralysis. A second person affiliated with the university was also injured. The Rutgers University Police Department issued arrest alerts for three of the four suspects: Christian Farmer, 22, of New Brunswick, was charged with two counts of first-degree attempted murder. The shooting occurred on a popular nightlife corridor frequented by students.
Analysis

Key Findings

A Rutgers student was shot by a stray bullet while asleep in her own apartment above a bar, highlighting the danger of gun violence even to uninvolved bystanders
The shooting was gang-related, with men associated with the Bloods firing indiscriminately near a crowd of approximately a dozen college students
Three of four suspects were arrested within days, with the alleged shooter facing first-degree attempted murder charges
Outcome
The student shot in her apartment underwent multiple surgeries at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and was at risk of paralysis. Christian Farmer, 22, of New Brunswick, was charged with two counts of first-degree attempted murder, aggravated assault, and illegal gun charges. Two other men were also arrested.
Provenance

Sources

  1. News
    Stray bullet shooting near Rutgers University in New Brunswick (ABC7 New York)
    abc7ny.com
  2. Student Paper
    RUPD issues arrest alert for 3 of 4 suspects (Daily Targum)
    dailytargum.com
  3. News
    Rutgers Student Shot In Stomach In Gang-Related Attack (Patch)
    patch.com
  4. News
    Rutgers Student Shot In Her Own Apartment Still In Hospital (Patch)
    patch.com
Tags
shootingstray-bulletgang-violenceoff-campusnew-jerseypublic-universitynightlife
Added May 2026Updated May 2026Via ingestion