Teen Charged In Shooting Of 17-Year-Old In Face At NJ Mall

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A teenager has been arrested and charged with attempted murder after shooting another teen in the face at the Ocean County Mall, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said Friday.

The teenager, who was not identified further because he is a juvenile, was arrested Thursday. He is being held at the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center, the prosecutor's office said.

The 17-year-old boy who was shot remains hospitalized at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where he is listed as stable, the prosecutor's office said.

The incident happened shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday in the common area of the mall, the prosecutor's office said.

The victim was sitting in the area when he was confronted by the other teen, who tried to start a fight, authorities said.

As that teen started to walk away, he turned and fired multiple gunshots toward the victim, with one shot hitting the victim in the face, the prosecutor's office said.

The shooter then took off in what was believed to be a gray sedan, the prosecutor's office said.

Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said it appeared to be a targeted shooting, but did not provide any other details.

The teen accused in the shooting has been charged with attempted murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon, the prosecutor's office said.

“This was a senseless act of violence that has no place in our civilized society. This behavior will not be tolerated here in Ocean County,” Billhimer said.