BRICK – A 17-year old male has been arrested and charged with attempted murder following Tuesday’s shooting incident near Brick Memorial High School, announced Ocean County County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Brick Township Chief of Police James Riccio.
The teen was taken into custody and accused of four counts of Attempted Murder and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose; and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon.
On Oct. 22, Brick Police responded to Brick Memorial at approximately 1:45 p.m. for reports of a student who sustained a gunshot wound. According to police investigation, the student was walking home from school with three friends when he was shot approximately one-quarter mile away from the high school. He then ran back to the school for help.
The student was taken to Ocean Medical Center in Brick Township for treatment and later released.
Brick Memorial and neighboring schools were locked down for several hours following the incident while police confirmed that there was no immediate danger to students.
Authorities gained access to surveillance footage from nearby residences during their investigation. On Oct. 23, members of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Brick Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, and the Monmouth County Emergency Response Team executed a no-knock search warrant in Asbury Park where the suspect was taken into custody and transported to Brick Police Headquarters.
The juvenile suspect is lodged in the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center.
[adrotate banner="278"]Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Riccio would like to commend the tremendous efforts of all of the law enforcement agencies involved in this very thorough and swift 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; and New Jersey State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center.
“Were it not for the
collective resolve, determination, and good old-fashioned police-work displayed
by all the law enforcement personnel involved in this investigation, this
subject would not have been brought into custody in such a prompt and
expeditious manner,” stated Prosecutor Billhimer. “Chief Riccio and I are
extremely grateful for the team-work exhibited by law enforcement agencies in
both Ocean and Monmouth Counties. This
collaboration will continue as we strive to make our streets and communities
safer for our families and our children.
We will not let this wanton disregard for the welfare and safety of our
communities to become commonplace.”
