Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Brick Township Chief of Police James Riccio announced today that a second male juvenile — 16 years of age — has been taken into custody in connection with the shooting that occurred in Brick Township near Lanes Mills Road on Tuesday, October 22, 2019. The juvenile is accused of four counts of Attempted Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1 and 2C:11-3a; Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4a; and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5b. With the apprehension of this juvenile, law enforcement is confident that all suspects associated with this shooting incident are now in custody.
On October 22, 2019, at approximately 1:45 p.m., Brick Township Police were summoned to Brick Memorial High School for a report of a student who had sustained a gunshot wound. Investigation revealed that the student was walking home from school with three friends when he was shot approximately one-quarter mile away from Brick Memorial; he subsequently ran back to the school for help. Brick Township Police and school officials thereafter locked down the high school as well as neighboring schools as a precautionary measure before determining there was no immediate danger to students. The victim was treated at Ocean Medical Center in Brick Township and released.
An investigation was conducted by Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Brick Township Police Department, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, which led to the discovery of video surveillance footage from nearby residences. The investigation revealed that this second juvenile was also involved in the October 22nd shooting near Brick Memorial, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He turned himself into the Brick Police Department this afternoon, and will be transported to the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center pending a hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Riccio would again like to applaud the hard work and persistence of all of the law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation: Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit; Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit; Brick Township Police Department; Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit; Ocean County Sheriff’s Office; Toms River Township Police Department; Lakewood Township Police Department; Bay Head Borough Police Department; Point Pleasant Beach Police Department; Asbury Park Police Department; Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit; Monmouth County Emergency Response Team; Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office; New Jersey State Police; New Jersey State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center; and the United States Marshals Service.
“Our investigation has revealed that the suspects acted together and in support of one another in carrying out these acts of senseless violence,” stated Prosecutor Billhimer. The Prosecutor added: “The apprehension of the individuals in question is a perfect example of local, state and federal law enforcement officials working together to achieve a common objective — removing bad actors from our streets. I cannot praise the teamwork of these law enforcement agencies enough. All the officers involved in this investigation should take great pride in the fact they have made the community safer and more secure. They have my profound gratitude.”
