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"Brandon Is In Heaven"

A mother's pride is displayed on the Internet for Brandon Holt, the 6-year-old Toms River boy who was shot and killed by a 4-year-old this past week.

The words and pictures run like a sad slide show, with each pithy thought, each hastily taken iPhone image illuminating every little milestone in Brandon Holt's very short life. The Facebook page for Brandon's mom is supposed to be a place show pride. Now it's a memorial, with every mention of whatever Brandon did serving as the 6-year-old's happiest memories. "Today my baby boy, Brandon, finished kindergarten and is now officially going in the 1st grade," wrote Christine Decker-Holt. "He is getting so big!" So much more will be said at the Carmona-Bolen Funeral Home, where the first services will be held Friday for Brandon, shot and killed by a 4-year-old playmate on Monday. Many will go there, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. today; or …

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Community Grieves After 6-Year-Old Toms River Boy, Shot By 4-Year-Old, Dies

Brandon Holt of Toms River died after being shot in the head in the McCormick Drive yard of the 4-year-old, according to Toms River police

Family, friends and local officials continued to grieve Wednesday after a 6-year-old Toms River boy - shot in the head by a 4-year-old - died. "It's true, it's true," a source close to the family said Tuesday, a day after Brandon Holt was shot in the McCormick Drive yard of the 4-year-old. Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy said the matter is under investigation, and any possible criminal action could be subject to an investigation by the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office. Al Della Fave, spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, cited a possible conflict between the 4-year-old's family and Ocean County law enforcement that caused authorities to move the case's jurisdiction. The community continue to provide comfort to …

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carmel viscito

8:40 pm on Monday, April 15, 2013

what I can understand is that the family is in law enforcement, those guns should have been locked up exactly where the parents should be!!!!!! what a shame and the poor kids have to suffer. the 4 yr old has to live with this for the rest of his life, thanks mom and dad. so sad.........   more ›

Neighbor: Quiet Street Shaken By "Guns"

Resident describes watching what appeared to be "all these guns" being removed from scene where 4-year-old fatally shot 6-year-old

Debi Coto thought McCormick Drive in Toms River was a quiet cul-de-sac, where kids played safely, free from car traffic. Then a 4-year-old fatally shot 6-year-old Brandon Holt Monday night. Coto watched police remove what appeared to be "all these guns" from the scene shortly afterward. Now the peaceful dead-end street is grieving for a child who was shot in the head, the victim of the kind of violence that happens in places that are not-so-quiet. "It's sad for the whole neighborhood," she said. "I'm angry." The 6-year-old who was shot in the head by a 4-year-old died Tuesday, according to Toms River police. Brandon Holt died almost a day after he was shot in the McCormick Drive yard of the 4-year-old. Daniel Watkins, saying he is the …

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UPDATE: Toms River 6-Year-Old, Shot By 4-Year-Old, Dies

"There were other weapons," chief says as police continue to investigate scene of Monday night tragedy

JERSEY SHORE-- A Toms River 6-year-old who was shot in the head by a 4-year-old died Tuesday, according to Toms River police. Brandon Holt died almost a day after he was shot in the McCormick Drive yard of the 4-year-old. Other weapons were found at the scene of the Monday night shooting, according to Toms River Chief of Police Michael Mastronardy. Mastronardy said that the 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. 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 …

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Police: Brick Fugitive Sought In Purse Snatching, Toms River Theft

One half of a father-son duo caught; father on the run

One half of a father/son purse-snatching duo was arrested over the weekend while a manhunt is on for the fugitive elder of the pair, police said Tuesday. Matthew D. Frystock, 26, whose last known address was on Drum Point Road in Brick, was arrested at a motel in Ocean Township and charged with one count of third degree theft and one count of third degree conspiracy to commit theft for his connection with a recent purse snatching at the Route 34 ShopRite Supermarket at Lakewood Road in Wall, Lt. Walter Pomphrey said.    Frystock was taken to Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township, in lieu of $15,000 bail, Pomphrey said. Jail records on Tuesday showed Frystock had not yet posted bail. Frystock was located with the help of the Ocean …

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Barnegat Driver In Old Bridge Bus Accident Listed In Critical Condition

About 36 injured in accident

The Barnegat driver of a bus that originated in Toms River and crashed in Old Bridge this morning is in critical condition, according to news reports. The driver of the Academy bus involved in the accident is Daniel Jean-Pierre, 42, of Barnegat, NJ.com is reporting. He was listed in critical condition along with a 31-year-old female passenger. About 36 people are believed to be injured after an accident involving an Academy commuter bus on Route 9 North in Old Bridge Township on Thursday morning, according to Marlboro Police Cpt. Steve Menonna.  Academy spokesperson Joe Orlando told News 12 the bus originated in Toms River and likely made stops in Lakewood, Howell and Freehold. Orlando said he may not have a list of the injured until later…

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Police ID Woman Killed By Van

Toms River Police have identified Ruth Galli, 47, of Silverton as the pedestrian who was killed

Toms River Police have identified Ruth Galli, 47, of Silverton as the pedestrian who was killed after being struck by a northbound vehicle on Fischer Blvd on Friday evening. The driver of the vehicle allegedly was Richard Sulfrian, 63, of Silverton, who was operating a 2006 Masada Van at 6 p.m. An investigation is continuing by Traffic Safety Officer Brian Doyle and the Ocean County Prosecutors Office. The 47-year-old Silverton woman died Friday after she was struck by a vehicle at Fischer Boulevard and Capstan Drive, according to police communications.

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Ocean County Mall Macy’s Left in the Dark on Black Friday

Mall department store without power since Thursday evening, says store manager

Ranking high on a list of disasters for a major department store would be a power outage on one of the most profitable shopping days of the calendar year, Black Friday. However, for Macy’s department store in the Ocean County Mall, that nightmare unfortunately came true. “We’re sitting in the dark right now,” said store employee Phyllis Broders on Friday morning. “All the other stores in the mall are open except us.” Store Manager Mike Hardy explained that the power had first gone out at about 10:45 p.m. on Thursday evening, just prior to what would have been the store’s midnight opening for Black Friday shoppers. “I spoke to JCP&L at about 1 a.m. They said that it could be due to a few possible reasons, and it looks like it might be a …

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Restaurant Staff Recounts Diner Life Since Hurricane Sandy

Crystal Diner employees describe the mood among patrons affected by Sandy

Monday afternoon’s visit to the Crystal Diner, a popular staple among Toms River restaurants for many years, was like any other; attentive staff and food served quickly. That is, except for the lights. The lights of the restaurant went out several times, only to come back to life for brief moments, then flicker and die out once more. “This has only happened today,” said waitress Jackie Ramirez. “It’s been crazy.” Ramirez discussed the vibe present in the restaurant ever since the tumult that Hurricane Sandy brought to the area. “We’ve had lots of customers who were displaced from their homes. They’ve told me different stories about their homes being washed away and losing everything,” said Ramirez. Ramirez described the mood among the …

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