Man Accidentally Killed with Shotgun While Hunting

January 28, 2017

by Al DellaFave, OCPO

BERKELEY TWP-On Saturday January 28, 2017 at 8:46 am, Berkeley Township Police were dispatched to the wooded area of 100 Locker Street following a 9-1-1 call stating a male had been shot while hunting.

Berkeley Township Police and MONOC Unit 712 responded and the body of A 26 y/o male from Barnegat, NJ was pronounced dead via telemetry at 9:08am by Dr.Juarez from Newark Beth Israel Hospital. The decedent was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River.

The scene was immediately secured and Det. Matthew Scutti and Det. Laudicina of the Ocean County Sheriff Department (CSI) processed the scene. The shotgun used in this matter has been secured with the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department.

Ocean County Major Crimes Unit Det. John Carroll and John Murphy, along with Berkeley Township Police Det. Joseph Santoro, were assigned to lead the investigation. Preliminarily their investigation found the victim, his father and two friends were out hunting deer. One of the victims’ friends, a 41 y/o male from Forked River discharged his shotgun while hunting and struck the decedent killing him. After hearing the gunshot the victim’s father immediately attempted to render aid while 9-1-1 was called.

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