Crime & Safety
Update: Six-Year-Old, Shot By 4-Year-Old, Is Dead
Brandon Holt of Toms River died after being shot in the head in the McCormick Drive yard of the 4-year-old, according to sources close to the family
A 6-year-old Toms River boy who was shot in the head by a 4-year-old died Tuesday at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, according to sources close to the family.Â
"It's true, it's true," a source said, when asked if Brandon Holt died after being shot in the head Monday night in the McCormick Drive yard of a 4-year-old. Townsquare Media also talked to Toms River police, who confirmed that Holt died around 5 p.m.
Toms River Chief of Police Michael Mastronardy said that the 4-year-old boy obtained a .22 caliber rifle from inside the residence. The state Division of Youth and Family Services were also called to the scene because there were three other children in the home.
Find out what's happening in South Orangefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The parents were "nearby" when the incident occurred, the chief said. The mother of the 4-year-old called 911..
The 6-year-old was flown to Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune with a head injury and was in serious condition, the chief said.Â
Find out what's happening in South Orangefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The shooting occurred in the Cedar Grove area of the township, according to Toms River schools Assistant Superintendent James Hauenstein, who received the news during a New Jersey School Boards Association meeting Monday night.Â
The children were outside the home when the 4-year-old boy went inside to get the rifle, and then shot the 6-year-old about 15 yards away, the chief said. Mastronardy did not say if the 4-year-old pulled the trigger, or if the rifle accidentally discharged.
The 4-year-old's parents were home at the time, but no names have been released.
Authorities were on scene at a McCormick Drive home Monday night and had the yard cordoned off with yellow tape. Toms River police and county vehicles remained on the scene.
Hauenstein said that the victim is a student at Saint Joseph's Grade School. He said that Toms River schools officials will be available to provide counseling services to students at Cedar Grove Elementary and Saint Joseph's.Â
Toms River Police Department Detectives Louis Santora and Roger Hull are investigating along with the Ocean County's prosecutor's office and sheriff's department, Mastronardy said.Â
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
