SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ – One boy was shot, another stabbed, and mass panic ensued in four Jersey Shore towns this Memorial Day weekend. Those incidents led police to enforce curfews for minors and in one town, even led to the complete closure of the boardwalk.

11-Year-Old Boy Shot in Atlantic City

On Friday, night, an 11-year-old boy was shot in Atlantic City. Police later arrested two women in connection with the shooting.

Panic and Mayhem in Seaside Heights

https:// /hartgoat/status/1794866812074836357

On Saturday, mayhem ensued at the Seaside Heights boardwalk after a suspected ‘gunshot’ caused panic, leading to teens and young adults running from the boardwalk. Police responded in force, but no shooting evidence was found. Later, social media users attributed the loud bang to the backfiring of a car.

Jersey shore mayhem strikes multiple beach towns on memorial day weekend — Photo: jersey shore mayhem strikes multiple beach towns on memorial day weekend

Crowds of unruly teens ruled the boardwalk in Seaside Heights, forcing the police department to strictly enforce the borough’s 10 pm curfew on minors.

Stabbing on Ocean City Boardwalk

Ocean City, New Jersey also enforced its teen curfew after a stabbing. A 15-year-old boy was stabbed Saturday night near a popular amusement pier, sparking concerns about youth violence in the area. The incident occurred around 9:12 PM, not far from the boardwalk attractions.

That came amid other concerns of unrest in the city by crowds of teens and young adults. The stabbing caused a stampede of people running from the scene and off the boardwalk.

Wildwood Shuts Down Boardwalk After Civil Unrest

In Wildwood, police were forced to close the famous boardwalk at midnight after crowds of unruly teens causing disturbances led police to make their decision.

The Wildwood Police Department issued the following statement at about 12:20 a.m. on Monday, May 27:

“Out of an abundance of caution due to emergent conditions that have resulted from civil unrest threatening the public health, safety, and welfare of our residents and visitors alike, the City of Wildwood has declared a state of emergency in order to maintain law and order within our jurisdiction. At this time, access to the Wildwood Boardwalk has been restricted and you are asked to avoid the area. Updates will be provided as they become available. Thank you for your cooperation,” the department said.

Toms River Enforces Teen Curfew

Amid unrest in neighboring towns, Toms River Township has announced it will enforce its teen curfew on the barrier island in communities such as Ortley Beach.

Police here reminded that the curfew is in effect through Labor Day in Toms River’s barrier island communities, including Ortley Beach and the northern beaches. Juveniles 17 and under are barred from being out on the streets without an adult from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.