Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Luis Rivas, 16, of Brick Township has been charged with four counts of Attempted Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1 and 2C:11-3a; Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4a; and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5b.
The defendant, who was 16-years-old when the crimes occurred, voluntarily waived jurisdiction of the Family Court -- which typically handles juvenile delinquency matters -- and agreed to be prosecuted as an adult.
Authorities say on Tuesday, October 22, 2019, at approximately 1:45 p.m., Brick Township Police were summoned to Brick Memorial High School for a report of a student who had sustained a gunshot wound.
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.
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 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 video surveillance depicted Rivas and a second juvenile acting together and in support of one another in carrying out the shooting.
Police say Rivas was apprehended on October 26, 2019, and has been lodged in the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center since his apprehension.
The second juvenile is likewise lodged in the Juvenile Detention Center, and his matter remains pending in Family Court at present.