16 Year Old Neptune Boy Charged in Asbury Park Shooting

A 16 year old boy from Neptune Township was arrested at Neptune High School this afternoon and charged in the shooting death of a 10 year old Asbury Park boy and the wounding of the boy’s 39 year old mother, according to an announcement by Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

The teenager was arrested at Neptune High School this morning without incident. The Prosecutor’s Office alerted both the school and the district to the impending arrest. Due to school protocols, Neptune High School was briefly in a lockdown status following the arrest.

Asbury Park police responded to a 911 call around 10:40 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018, reporting shots fired at a home in the 400 block of Ridge Avenue in the city.  Police arrived to find the 10-year old child and his 39-year old mother had been struck with gunshot wounds.  The child’s mother was treated and released for her injuries, however the child was pronounced deceased at 11:18 p.m.

Neither the deceased 10 year old nor his mother were the intended victims of the shooting. The target of the shooting was also present in the Ridge Ave, Asbury Park home where the incident happened.

The joint investigation is being conducted by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Asbury Park Police Department with assistance from Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office and Neptune Township Police Department.

The 16 year old is charged with Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Aggravated Assault, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose.

Investigators are seeking the assistance of the public to identify other(s) who may have been involved in this criminal conspiracy. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Detective Brian Weisbrot of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 800-533-7443 or Detective Sean DeShader of the Asbury Park Police Department at 732-774-1300.

Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about a crime can contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers confidential telephone tip-line by calling 1-800-671-4400; can text “MONMOUTH” plus their tip to 274637; or, they can email a tip via the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com.  Monmouth County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of criminals and fugitives.

BREAKING: Arrest made at high school of suspect in shooting death of 10 year old Asbury Park boy–bullet holes scar windows and siding of his home. My story at 6 @NBCNewYork @JSHurricaneNews @MonmouthPDFDEMS @MonCoProsecutor pic.twitter.com/PD9DUFhOg8

— Brian Thompson (@brian4NY) February 22, 2018