Gunman in NJ teen Justice Deas' death in Edison was boy she was dating, prosecutors say
A 17-year-old girl was shot and killed in her own home over the weekend and prosecutors say the gunman was a boy she was dating.
A 1:19 a.m. Saturday, a 911 call was made to report shots fired at a townhome on Grove Avenue.
First responders raced to the home where the Middlesex County prosecutors office says a 17-year-old girl was found dead inside.
Friends and relatives say the victim was 17-year-old Justice Deas.
A 17-year-old boy from Plainfield who was at the home was immediately taken into custody and charged with acts of juvenile delinquency, which would have been weapons and manslaughter charges had the suspect been an adult.
Investigators say the two had been in a dating relationship.
It appears no one else was at the home when the shooting happened.
Deas' unexpected and untimely death has left friends and family reeling.
A memorial of candles and balloons have been placed at the apartment complex in Deas' memory.
Friends there said she was the life of the party and was always laughing.
Leila Martinez said she knew Deas since middle school.
"Ever since then, we've just been locked in forever, I used to get picked on in school and Justice, whenever I needed her, she was there for me whenever I needed her, when I had no one, I always had her," Martinez said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Spielman of the Edison Police Department at 732-248-7471 or Detective Redline of the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office at 732-745-3316.
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