Crime & Safety

Atlantic County Prosecutor: Father of Boy, 4, Who Shot Friend Is Indicted

Anthony Senatore charged with six counts, authorities say

An Ocean County grand jury has indicted the father of a 4-year-old Toms River boy who shot his 6-year-old friend.

Anthony Senatore, 33, was indicted on five counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of children and one count of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said in a statement Wednesday afternoon.

On April 8, Senatore’s 4-year-old son gained access to what authorities describe as an unsecured .22 caliber rifle in Senatore’s bedroom and fired a single shot, which struck 6-year-old neighbor, Brandon Holt, in the head.

Holt was transported to the Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead the next day.

Due to familial conflicts, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office took over the case from Ocean County authorities.

Senatore was charged in the case on May 13.

Authorities charged Senatore with one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of children for each of the five firearms found that investigators say were accessible to his own children, for whom he had a legal duty of care.


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