Middlesex County Prosecutor Linda Estremera and Chief Vincent Sabo of the New Brunswick Police Department announced today that a 16-year-old juvenile male has been taken into custody and charged with acts of juvenile delinquency for offenses which if committed by an adult would constitute Aggravated Manslaughter, Unlawful Possession of a Handgun, and Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose in connection with a homicide that occurred in the City of New Brunswick on January 27, 2026.

On January 27, 2026, at approximately 2:28 P.M., authorities responded to a residence on Lawrence Street following a report of shots fired. Upon their arrival, officers located the victim, a 16-year-old female from New Brunswick, who sustained a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital where she was ultimately pronounced deceased.

The male from Mays Landing, who was at the scene was charged and is in police custody. Moreover, he and the female victim knew each other prior to the incident, thus it was not a random act of violence.

This is an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information or surveillance footage of the area is asked to call Detective Brandt Gregus of the New Brunswick Police Department at 732-745-5217 or Detective Stephanie Redline of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-745-3316.

As with all criminal defendants, the charges against the juvenile are just allegations, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.