Bergen County Teen Charged In Last Night’s Shooting Of Teen Girl

Wednesday, November 6, 2024, 3:30 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ.- A 16-year-old Bergen County boy was taken into custody and charged with critically injuring a 15-year-old girl in a Tuesday night shooting inside a Ridgefield Park, New Jersey residence.

     According to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, shortly before 7:30 p.m., members of the Ridgefield Park Police Department responded to a report of a person being injured and bleeding inside a Ridgefield Park home. Upon arrival, Police Officers found a 15-year-old girl suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to her back. The child was immediately transported to an area hospital, where she remains listed in critical condition. 

Investigation Leads To Juvenile Charges

     Responding Police Officers quickly took the 16-year-old boy into custody at the scene. Following detaining the teen, Detectives of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit responded to the scene, and a joint investigation was launched into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. During the investigation, Detectives quickly determined that the boy fired a handgun inside the dwelling, which struck the girl in the back.

     Accordingly, later in the evening on Tuesday, Detectives charged the 16-year-old boy with juvenile delinquency, specifically second-degree Aggravated Assault; second-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose; and fourth-degree Possession of a Firearm by a Minor.

     Following being charged, the teen was remanded to the custody of the Bergen County Juvenile Detention Center pending future court proceedings in the Bergen County Superior Court Family Law Division.

“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: As in adult cases, a juvenile defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”