A 17-year-old New Jersey boy allegedly livestreamed on YouTube a day after fatally striking two teen girls with his car on Monday.
According to NJ 101.5, a teenage boy took to YouTube on Tuesday to discuss being bullied and express his concerns about how the mental health crisis is being handled by the government. The previous day, it was reported that the teen allegedly hit and killed Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, both 17, while they were riding electronic bikes in Cranford.
The suspect drove for a short distance with one of the bicycles under his Jeep before his vehicle became disabled, according to reports.
During his Tuesday livestream, as reported by NJ 101.5, the teenager talked about the amount of attention his video was receiving from viewers who criticized him for the deaths of Salas and Niotis.
Locals claimed that the teen had been stalking one of the two girls and often parked outside her house for three months. It was reported that one of the girls had obtained a restraining order against him.
The teenager, whose identity has remained undisclosed, is now facing charges for the first-degree murders of Niotis and Salas. According to the New York Post, it is believed that the teen might have been specifically targeting Niotis when the incident on Monday occurred.
There is speculation among those close to the case that the suspect wasn’t apprehended before Monday due to familial connections, as he is related to a police chief. In confirmation, Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro acknowledged that the suspect is his nephew.
“I absolutely condemn the actions of the suspect, and like the public, I insist that he face legal consequences for his alleged actions. As an officer of law, I have complete trust in our justice system and its ability to ensure he is held accountable. My thoughts are with the affected families, and I join in the call for full justice and accountability,” he stated.
It remains unclear whether the 17-year-old will be charged as an adult.
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