By: Richard L. Smith
Authorities have charged a 16-year-old juvenile male in connection with a fatal shooting that claimed the life of a teenage girl in the City of New Brunswick earlier this week.
According to a statement released by Linda Estremera and Vincent Sabo, the juvenile has been taken into custody and charged with acts of juvenile delinquency.
If committed by an adult, the charges would constitute aggravated manslaughter, unlawful possession of a handgun, and possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose.
The incident occurred on January 27, 2026, at approximately 2:28 p.m., when police responded to reports of gunfire at a residence on Lawrence Street.
Upon arrival, officers found a 16-year-old female victim suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased.
Investigators determined that the male juvenile, who is from Mays Landing, was present at the scene at the time of the shooting.
Authorities confirmed that the victim and the suspect were known to one another prior to the incident, and the shooting was not believed to be a random act of violence.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. 
Anyone with information related to the incident, including surveillance footage from the area, is urged to contact Detective Brandt Gregus of the New Brunswick Police Department at 732-745-5217.