HollyMatkinLong Branch, NJ – A 16 year old opened fire on his family and a friend in a gruesome New Year’s Eve quadruple homicide, police said.
The Long Branch Police Department (LBPD) received a call of shots fired at a residence at 11:43 p.m. on Sunday, the Office of the Monmouth County Prosecutor said in a Monday news release.
LBPD and the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) arrived at the scene less than one minute later, and discovered that an unnamed 16-year-old male had gunned down his parents, sister, and a family friend inside his parents’ home.
Steven Kologi, 44, Linda Kologi, 42, Brittany Kologi, 18, and Mary Schultz, 70, were pronounced dead at the scene, the Asbury Park Press reported.
Schultz lived in the family’s home, CBS News reported.
At least one victim sustained a gunshot wound to the head.
None of the victims were transported for emergency medical care, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said during a Monday press conference.
The teen’s brother and grandfather managed to escape the bloodbath, and neither was injured.
“We are investigating this and are confident that it’s a domestic incident that’s completely isolated,” Gramiccioni said. “We have no reason to believe that the public … is at risk of any danger.”
Investigators said they believed the gunman used a Century Arms semi-automatic rifle in the attack, which was legally owned and registered to a family member, Gramiccioni said.
Preliminary information gathered from scanner traffic Sunday night indicated that the weapon may have been an AK-47.
The teen was taken into custody without further incident, and was charged with four counts of murder and possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose.
Gramiccioni declined to comment regarding a possible motive for the quadruple homicide. He also would not comment on the suspect’s mental health status.
The teen will likely be charged as an adult, Gramiccioni said.