17-Year-Old Charged In Shooting Near Brick Memorial

BRICK, NJ — A 17-year-old boy has been charged with four counts of attempted murder in the shooting of a 16-year-old Brick Memorial student not far from the high school on Tuesday, authorities said.

The teen was arrested Wednesday evening in Asbury Park when authorities executed a no-knock warrant at a residence there, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Brick Township Police Chief James Riccio said in a joint news release.

The 16-year-old was shot Tuesday as he walked home from school with three friends, the prosecutor's office said, and all four were shot at, authorities said.

The boy who was charged also is facing charges of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of weapon, the prosecutor's office said. He is being held at the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center.

Authorities were able to use video surveillance footage from nearby homes to help track down the suspect, the prosecutor's office said.

"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," Billhimer said.

Authorities on Wednesday evening confirmed Tuesday's shooting was connected to a drive-by shooting on Saturday in the nearby Briar Mills condominium complex that left an 18-year-old with a gunshot wound to the leg. The prosecutor's office did not say whether the 17-year-old is suspected of being the gunman in that shooting.

"That investigation is continuing," the prosecutor's office said Thursday afternoon.

Both the 16-year-old and the 18-year-old are expected to fully recover from their wounds, authorities have said.

The shooting on Tuesday sparked intense public concern because of its proximity to Brick Memorial High School. Both Brick Memorial High School and Lanes Mill Elementary School, which was still in session at the time, were locked down for the remainder of the afternoon and controlled dismissals put in place. Parents had to sign out children at Lanes Mill, and Brick Memorial students were bused to the Veterans Memorial complex on Van Zile Road for pick-up by parents.

Residents questioned how the 16-year-old, who was bleeding from the shoulder wound, got into the high school, which had dismissed classes for the day but had a number of students still on the premises for afterschool activities and sports.

Brick Police Chief James Riccio said another student let the victim into the building. In the statement issued Wednesday evening, police said the school's doors remain locked after school dismissal at 1:30 p.m. Students who want to enter the school after dismissal and until 3 p.m. have to go to the front door and be buzzed in, authorities said.

"When the victim ran back to the school, he was let in by another student," police said. "The victim was alone. There were no suspects with or near the victim at the time."

Residents also started a petition demanding specifics from Brick Township Mayor John G. Ducey on how he plans to address "a sharp increase in gang activity and drive-by shootings." The petition had nearly 3,000 signatures as of noon on Thursday.

Ducey had sharp criticism for the shooter at the Township Council meeting Tuesday night, and promised the police would have all the resources they needed to make the arrest.

"Whatever rock the shooter or shooters crawled out from under, our police will not rest until you are under arrest," he said. "You are scum and you do not belong in Brick Township."

On Thursday, Billhimer praised the teamwork of investigators and law enforcement.

"Chief Riccio and I are extremely grateful for the teamwork 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," Billhimer said. "We will not let this wanton disregard for the welfare and safety of our communities become commonplace."

Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and High Tech Crime Unit along with Brick Township Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department investigated the shooting.

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 the no-knock warrant for the 17-year-old's arrest.

The prosecutor's office and Brick police were assisted by the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit; the 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 the New Jersey State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center.

Previous reporting:

• 1 Hurt In Drive-By Shooting In Brick: Police
• Shots Near Brick Memorial High School Prompt Police Response
• Brick's Search Continues For Shooter As Students Return To School
• Brick Shooting: See Mayor Call Suspect 'Scum' After 'Scary Day'
• Drive-By, Shooting Near School Linked, Brick Police Confirm

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