TOMS RIVER — A juvenile has been charged with attempted murder and two weapons offenses after a 17-year-old was shot in the face at the Ocean County Mall, authorities said Friday.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said the charges stem from a shooting reported around 8:10 p.m. Wednesday at the mall on Hooper Avenue.
Police responding to the scene found the teenage victim in a common area with a gunshot wound to the face, according to prosecutors. He was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune and was listed in stable condition.
Investigators said the victim was sitting in the mall’s common area when another person approached and tried to provoke a confrontation. As that person started to leave, officials said, he turned back and fired several shots toward the victim. One round struck the teen in the face before the shooter ran from the scene.
Authorities said a joint investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Toms River police and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit identified a juvenile as the suspect.
The juvenile was taken into custody and is being held at the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center.
The juvenile is charged with attempted murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon, prosecutors said.
Because of state law governing juvenile cases, authorities said they could not release additional details about the suspect.
Billhimer praised the investigators and officers involved, saying they moved quickly to resolve what he described as a senseless act of violence.
The charges are accusations, and the suspect is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
