Teen Will Be Prosecuted As Adult In Shooting Near Brick Memorial

BRICK – A 16-year-old Brick resident will be prosecuted as an adult as he faces attempted murder charges in connection with an October shooting near Brick Memorial High School, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office announced on Tuesday.

The Brick Township teen has been charged with four counts of attempted murder, possession of a
weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon, the OCPO said.

The defendant, who was 16 years old when the incident occurred, voluntarily waived jurisdiction of the Family Court, which typically handles juvenile delinquency matters. He agreed to be prosecuted as an adult, the OCPO said.

The incident happened on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019, at approximately 1:45 p.m. when Brick Township police were summoned to the Brick Memorial High School area on a report of a student who had sustained a gunshot wound, the OCPO said.

An investigation revealed that the student was walking home from school with three friends when he was shot approximately one-quarter mile away from Brick Memorial; he then ran back to the school for help, according to an OCPO release.

As a precaution, Brick Township police and school officials locked down the high school, as well as neighboring schools, before determining there was no immediate danger to students, the OCPO said.

The victim was treated at Ocean Medical Center in Brick Township and released.

Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Brick Township Police Department and Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, through their investigation, reviewed video surveillance footage from nearby residences, the OCPO said.

The video surveillance depicted the defendant and a second juvenile acting together, and in support of one another, in carrying out the shooting, the OCPO said.

The defendant was apprehended on Oct. 26, 2019, and has been lodged in the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center since his apprehension.

The second juvenile also is lodged in the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center, and his matter remains pending in Family Court.

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
• 17-Year-Old Charged In Shooting Near Brick Memorial