Shooting in convenience store parking lot kills mother of five

MILLVILLE, NJ – A tragic shooting in a South Jersey convenience store parking lot has left a mother of five dead and a man wounded. The incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. on a typically quiet Saturday morning.

Bonnie Hitchens, 41, was identified by family members as the woman fatally shot on East Greene Street in Millville, Cumberland County. Hitchens had just left her home to run errands when the fatal incident unfolded. Her family, in shock and grief, described her as undeserving of such violence.

Her daughter, who chose not to reveal her identity, expressed profound sorrow, saying her mother was a beacon of positivity who never caused harm. “She wasn’t a bad person,” the daughter lamented, underlining the senselessness of the tragedy.

The shooting also left a 31-year-old man injured. According to his sister, Shardinae Wise, the man, who was Hitchens’ long-time boyfriend, was hit by gunfire multiple times. He was promptly taken to a nearby hospital, where he is now in stable condition, grappling with the sudden and violent turn of events.

Wise voiced her dismay, struggling to comprehend the motives behind the attack. The situation has left both the family and the community reeling, searching for answers.

Two of Hitchens’ daughters shared their heartache but chose to focus on their mother’s uplifting spirit and devotion to her children. They remembered her as a caring provider who always knew how to bring joy to those around her.

As local authorities continue to piece together the circumstances leading to the shooting, they urge anyone with information to reach out and assist in the investigation.