Long Branch Shooting: Teen Killed His Family, Prosecutor Says

LONG BRANCH, NJ — A Long Branch teenager is being held in jail after shooting and killing his family and a family friend shortly before midnight on New Year's Eve, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said Monday.

Four people were killed: Steven Kologi, 44; Linda Kologi, 42; Brittany Kologi, 18, and family acquaintance, Mary Schultz, 70, of Oakhurst Parkway in Ocean Township, Gramiccioni said.

The Kologis' 16-year-old son was arrested without incident in the home, he said.

Long Branch police received a 911 call about shots fired at 11:43 p.m. on Sunday night at 635 Wall St. in Long Branch, Gramiccioni said, and police and the Monmouth County Sheriff's office arrived a minute later and found the four dead, the prosecutor said.

A joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office and Long Branch Police Department continues, but it appears the 16-year-old boy used a Century Arms semi-automatic rifle to kill his family and Schultz, Gramiccioni said.

The prosecutor's office did not give any information on the teen's motive for killing his family.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Detective Andrea Tozzi of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office at 800-533-7443, or Detective Michael Verdadiero of the Long Branch Police Department at 732-222-1000..

MCPO running an ongoing homicide investigation with 4 dead in Long Branch. No threat to the public as it is believed to be an isolated domestic incident. More to follow, but no known threat to the public. — Monmouth Prosecutor (@MonCoProsecutor) January 1, 2018

With additional reporting by Karen Wall, Patch staff
Note: An earlier version of this article reported the shooting was in West Long Branch based on an incorrect understanding of the address. Patch regrets the error.
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