Brick Township Man Charged For Starting Wednesday’s Jackson Wildfire

Sunday, November 10, 2024, 9:15 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ.- Following an investigation by State and Local authorities, on Saturday, November 9, 2024, Richard Shashaty, 37, of Brick Township, New Jersey, surrendered himself to the Jackson Township Police Department after being charged on Friday with Arson and a New Jersey State Firearms Violation in connection with a wildfire that began on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, in Jackson Township, New Jersey.

     According to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, shortly after 12:00 p.m., the Jackson Township Police and Fire Departments, along with the Department of Environmental Protection’s New Jersey Forest Fire Service, responded to the area of the Central Jersey Rifle Range, located on Stump Tavern Road in the Township, on a report of a wildfire. As of Saturday, the fire has consumed around 350 acres.

     An extensive investigation led by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, with assistance from the Jackson Township Police Department, the New Jersey State Police, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, the New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Agency, determine that the origin of the fire was behind a berm in the Southwest corner of the Gun Club. The fire was caused by magnesium shards of a Dragon Breath 12-gauge shotgun round igniting dry combustible brush on the berm of the shooting range.

     New Jersey’s firearms laws prohibit the firing of this type of incident or tracer ammunition anywhere in the State. 

     During further investigation, Detectives identified Shashaty as the individual who discharged the incendiary round that started the fire. On Saturday, November 9, 2024, Shashaty surrendered himself to Detectives at the Jackson Township Police Department with his attorney. Shashaty was processed on the charges and remanded to the Ocean County Jail pending future proceedings in Ocean County Superior Court.

“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”