A quiet neighborhood in the Pittstown section of Franklin Township was rocked by a violent and tragic event on Saturday afternoon, when two people were found dead inside a home on Upper Kingtown Road.
The Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office has confirmed that the incident is being investigated as a targeted shooting. At approximately 12:20 p.m. on Saturday, August 2, Franklin Township police responded to an emergency call reporting an unconscious woman with signs of physical trauma at a residence.
Upon arrival at the scene, officers made a grim discovery: two individuals had suffered fatal gunshot wounds inside the home. The victims have been identified as 33-year-old Lauren Semanchik, a resident of the Pittstown home, and 29-year-old Tyler Webb, of Forked River. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities have not released details about the relationship between the victims or any possible motive behind the attack, but they have stated that preliminary evidence points to a targeted shooting.
Investigators have not indicated whether a suspect has been identified or taken into custody. However, the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office emphasized that there is no threat to the general public at this time.
The home on Upper Kingtown Road has been cordoned off with police tape as law enforcement continues to gather evidence. Crime scene investigators and detectives were seen entering and exiting the property throughout the afternoon and evening, combing through the residence for clues.
In a joint statement, the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office and the Franklin Township Police Department assured the public that all available resources are being used to investigate the double homicide. “While this appears to be an isolated and targeted incident, we take every act of violence in our community seriously,” the statement read.
Neighbors expressed shock and sadness, describing the area as peaceful and tight-knit. “Nothing like this ever happens here,” one neighbor said. “It’s incredibly unsettling to know this happened so close to home.”
Little is known about the circumstances surrounding the victims’ deaths. Autopsies will be conducted by the medical examiner’s office to determine the exact cause and time of death. Investigators are also working to establish a timeline of events leading up to the shooting and any possible connection between Semanchik and Webb.
As the investigation continues, law enforcement is asking anyone who may have seen or heard anything unusual in the area around the time of the incident — or who may have information relevant to the case — to come forward.
Tips can be directed to Detective Sergeant David Petelle or Detective Quayshaun Brooks at the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office by calling (908) 788-1129. This devastating incident has left the Franklin Township community searching for answers.
Both victims were in the prime of their lives, and the sudden, violent nature of their deaths has left a deep emotional impact. Friends and family members of Lauren Semanchik and Tyler Webb are now mourning the loss of their loved ones as they await further information from authorities.
Further updates are expected as more information becomes available. For now, the investigation remains active, and the community is urged to stay alert but not alarmed. The Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office will continue to lead the investigation in coordination with local law enforcement.
