Rally To Be Held Regarding Lacey Raccoon Slaying

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A rally for justice regarding the Lacey raccoon slaying will take place from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 31 on the public sidewalk in front of the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

In early December, a video circulated featured a teenage boy beating a raccoon to death while another teenage boy egged him on. The video circulated beyond Lacey. The raccoon gets stuck in a trap. As one teen beats the raccoon with an aluminum bat, the other says, "Hit him! Hit him! Hit him hard now."

The OCPO has said they will not reveal whether any charges were or will be filed because the accused parties are juveniles. That has inspired the rally, as well as the incident's potential societal implications, according to rally co-organizer Rachel Ogden. Read more: Lacey Raccoon Slaying Investigation Raises Concerns From Experts

"We need to focus more on humane education and consequences to violent, abusive behavior," said Ogden, who organized the peaceful rally with Susan Kearney. "What happened to that vulnerable, innocent raccoon is a perfect teachable moment. This horrific situation can be turned into an opportunity to nurture other children's empathy."

Officials announced Dec. 11 that the Lacey Township Police Department, Ocean County Prosecutor's Office and New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife were investigating the matter.

OCPO Press Officer Bryan Huntenburg sent Patch a statement on the investigation in April:

"It would illegal for this office, as a law enforcement agency, to offer public comments on an investigation involving juveniles. This has been the official position we have taken with members of the public who have contacted our office expressing concern over the incident in question. We have advised those inquiring members of the public that this matter was fully investigated by this office, the Lacey Township police Department and the Division of Fish and Wildlife, but that we cannot comment any further in terms of the outcome of the investigation and/or disposition of same."

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office is at 119 Hooper Ave., Toms River. Here is the Facebook event page for the rally.

"When we see things like the beating of the raccoon and similar atrocities we have to look at the society we live in to try to understand why these things are happening," Ogden said. "Citizens and officials need to work together to stop these problems from occurring in the future. "

Click here to get Patch email notifications on this or other local news articles or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app. Download here. Follow Lacey Patch on Facebook. Have a news tip? Email josh.bakan@patch.com.