Shots Near Brick Memorial High School Prompt Police Response

A previous version of this story incorrectly stated shots were fired at Brick Memorial High School. Shots were fired near the school. Patch sincerely regrets the error.

BRICK, NJ — A 16-year-old boy was taken to the hospital with a shoulder wound following a shooting near Brick Memorial High School on Tuesday, Brick Township police said.

Brick police were called to the school at 1:47 p.m. after a school crossing guard reported shots fired in the vicinity of the school.

School Resource Officer Timothy McCarthy was at the school already, and police officers in the area responded immediately.

Both Brick Memorial and Lanes Mill Elementary School were locked down immediately, authorities said.

Police were told there was an injured 16-year-old boy bleeding from the arm in the school gym. Tactical medics responded and began treating him. He was taken to Ocean Medical Center.

Investigators learned the teen had been shot about a quarter-mile from the school and ran into the school gym, authorities said.

"It’s important for everyone to know this was not a school shooting," Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. "The response from law enforcement was swift and professional during a time of great concern."

Billhimer said investigators "will be interviewing witnesses and following leads well into the night."

"I’d like to commend the students, teachers and administration from all of the schools involved," Brick Police Chief James Riccio said. "Everyone from the bus drivers to the custodians were calm and cooperative."

Riccio said investigators are looking into whether or not Tuesday's shooting is related to a drive-by shooting that happened Saturday outside a Briar Mills apartment.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Brick Detective Dan Waleski at 732-262-1170 or Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Denis Mitchell at 732-929-2027.

Lanes Mill students were released to parents at the school starting about 3:30 p.m. Brick Memorial students who were at the school for after-school activities were bused to the Veterans Memorial schools complex for parents to pick them up.

The victim's parents were at the hospital with the victim, Brick Sgt. Jim Kelly said.

Students and staff remained at both schools as 5 p.m. approached, with parents arriving to pick up elementary students.

Police officers from Toms River, Lakewood, and Bay Head provided extra security.

Lanes Mill Road was closed for more than five hours, with traffic detoured from Lanes Mill Road onto Sally Ike Road. Lanes Mill was reopened shortly before 7:30 p.m.

Additional Brick Township police vehicles and Ocean County Sheriff's Office SUVs continued to arrive in the area as the investigation continued. The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office responded as well, officials said.

A tweet from Brick Township Police at 2:06 p.m. said police were at Brick Memorial responding to a report of shots fired. A Nixle alert at 2:33 p.m. clarified that gunshots reports were in the area of the school.

Brick Township police asked people to stay away from the area and from the school as authorities investigated.

"Please keep the surrounding area clear. Do not respond to the school. We currently have everything under control," police said.

Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Brick Patch on Facebook.