Teen accused of killing family on New Year’s Eve

LONG BRANCH, N.J. – A 16-year-old is accused of killing his parents, sister and a family friend inside his parents’ home on New Year’s Eve.

The teenager, whose name was not released because he is a minor, was in custody, held on four counts of murder and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, Monmouth County prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said.

Because of the seriousness of the offense, the boy could be prosecuted as an adult, but no decision on that had been made Monday.

Police found the suspect’s father, Steven Kologi, 44; mother, Linda Kologi, 42; sister, Brittany Kologi, 18; and family acquaintance Mary Schultz, 70, minutes after a 911 call reported shots fired. All died at the scene.

The boy’s grandfather and brother were able to escape the house unharmed, Gramiccioni said.

Investigators tried to determine a motive for the mass killing, the prosecutor said.

Dispatchers received the emergency call at 11:43 p.m. ET Sunday from within the home about 30 miles south of New York City.

A neighbor said he heard gunshots and fireworks from two locations in the neighborhood almost simultaneously. “I walked outside at midnight. We heard the commotion and lights flashing and saw (the police) storm the house,” James Roskowinski said, referring to himself and a roommate.

Though he lives on the same street as the family, he did not know them, he said.

“It’s a shame the new year has to start off like this,” Roskowinski said.

The suspect used a semiautomatic rifle to shoot his victims and was arrested without incident, Gramiccioni said.

“The weapon was legally owned and registered to a family member,” the prosecutor said.

The teen is expected to make his first appearance before a judge Tuesday.

Investigators gather Monday outside a home in Long Branch, N.J., where a 16-year-old was accused of killing his father, mother, sister and a family friend on New Year’s Eve. THOMAS COSTELLO