A shooting at a busy shopping center left a 17-year-old hospitalized and sparked a swift multi-agency investigation.
TOMS RIVER, N.J. – A juvenile suspect has been charged in connection with a shooting that left a 17-year-old boy wounded in the face inside the Ocean County Mall this week, authorities said. The violence unfolded in a public common area, prompting a rapid response from local and county law enforcement and raising concerns about safety in one of the township’s busiest locations.
The shooting happened at approximately 8:10 p.m. on Wednesday when officers were called to the mall on Hooper Avenue for reports of a gunshot victim. Responding officers found the teenage victim suffering from a single gunshot wound to the face. He was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where he remains in stable condition.
An investigation involving the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Toms River Police Department, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Crime Scene Investigation Unit determined the victim had been sitting in a common area when he was approached by another individual attempting to start an altercation.
Key Points
- 17-year-old victim shot in the face inside Ocean County Mall Wednesday night
- Juvenile suspect charged with attempted murder and weapon offenses
- Authorities say suspect fired multiple shots before fleeing scene
Suspect fired multiple shots before fleeing scene
According to prosecutors, the encounter escalated quickly. “As that individual began to walk away from the victim, he turned and fired multiple gunshots in the victim’s direction – with one of the shots striking the victim’s face,” officials said. The suspect then fled the mall.
Investigators later identified a juvenile as the alleged shooter. The suspect has since been taken into custody and is being held at the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center. Due to state law, authorities have not released additional identifying details.
Some reports on social media said it was a BB gun; however, the Prosecutor’s office did not confirm those rumors.
The juvenile faces charges including attempted murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon.
Prosecutor calls shooting ‘senseless act of violence’
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer credited law enforcement for quickly identifying and apprehending the suspect following the shooting.
“Officers and detectives involved in this investigation acted with urgency and professionalism to bring this disturbing incident to a swift resolution,” Billhimer said. “This was a senseless act of violence that has no place in our civilized society. This behavior will not be tolerated here in Ocean County.”
Billhimer also commended the coordinated response between agencies, including the prosecutor’s major crime unit, local police, and county investigators, for their role in bringing the case forward.
The investigation remains ongoing.