Jazariah Del Toro, a 16-year-old girl from New Brunswick, New Jersey, was tragically shot and killed inside her own home on Tuesday afternoon, authorities confirmed.
The heartbreaking incident has left family, friends and the wider community reeling, as they mourn the loss of a young life taken far too soon.
Police were called to a residence near North Ward and Lawrence streets just before 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday after neighbors reported hearing gunshots. Upon arrival, officers found Del Toro with a gunshot wound and rushed her to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office said the shooter was another 16-year-old boy known to the victim but did not release his name due to his age.
Local authorities have charged the teen suspect as a juvenile in connection with Del Toro’s death. Prosecutors indicated that, if he were an adult, the charges could have included aggravated manslaughter, unlawful possession of a handgun, and possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose, reflecting the gravity of the incident.
Del Toro was a student in the New Brunswick school system and remembered by those who knew her as a vibrant young person with a bright smile. A neighbor described the shock that rippled through the community upon learning of her death.
“Who wants to hear that a 16-year-old got shot and killed?” the resident said, noting the family’s struggles, including that her mother is a single parent.
In response to the tragedy, Del Toro’s mother launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral expenses and assist the family in relocating from the home where the shooting took place, a space she said now holds painful memories. Donations to the fundraiser have surpassed $24,000, and community members have rallied to offer support and comfort in the aftermath of the loss.
A balloon release event in Del Toro’s honor has been scheduled to bring residents together in remembrance and solidarity. Local school officials have also offered counseling and mental health support to students struggling with the news.
Middlesex County Prosecutor Linda Estremera and New Brunswick Police Chief Vincent Sabo, in earlier statements, said the victim and suspect were known to each other but that the nature of their relationship had not been publicly disclosed. Investigators continue to encourage anyone with information or surveillance footage related to the incident to come forward.
Del Toro’s death has reignited conversations about gun violence among young people in communities nationwide. Her loss is a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the profound impact that violence has on families and neighborhoods.
