The Long Branch teenager who allegedly killed his parents, sister and a family friend on New Year's Eve opened fire "at close range" using a semi-automatic rifle containing 15 bullets, prosecutors said Tuesday.
Law enforcement officials also revealed a third person - a woman in her 20s - fled the house when the shots began, along with the teen's grandfather and brother.
The 16-year-old alleged shooter, whose name is being withheld, is expected to make his first appearance in court at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said during a press conference.
"This is a heartbreaking family tragedy," said Gramiccioni, who did not reveal any possible motive for the shooting.
Linda and Steven Kologi, at left, and their 18-year-old daughter, Brittany Kologi, were shot and killed on New Year's Eve in their home in Long Branch along with a 70-year-old family friend Mary Schultz. The Kologi's 16-year-old son has been charged in the four killings. (GoFundMe)The teen's court appearance was delayed Tuesday after The Asbury Park Press and NJ Advance Media filed a motion seeking access to the hearing, which is being held in family court because of the teenager's age. A spokesman for the prosecutor's office Tuesday evening said the judge denied the application for access.
Prosecutors are seeking to waive the case up to adult court and said they expect a judge's decision within 60 days.
Gramiccioni said the woman in her early 20s escaped with the shooter's grandfather and brother as they heard the shots from a Century Arms semi-automatic rifle.
The teenager's parents, Steven Kologi and Linda Kologi, were gunned down, along with their 18-year-old daughter Brittany Kologi and family friend Mary Schultz, 70, around 11:45 p.m., prosecutors said.
Gramiccioni said he did not believe there was any time for family members to try to convince the teenager not to shoot.
"We think this was fairly sudden and quick," Gramiccioni said.
The gun was loaded with 15 7.62mm rounds at the time of the shooting and was legally owned by a resident of the multi-family house on the 600 block of Wall Street, Gramiccioni said. He declined to say whether the teenager shot all 15 rounds.
Each person who died suffered from multiple gunshot wounds, and prosecutors were not considering filing charges against the gun's owner, Gramiccioni said.
He said there was no indication any financial problems of the family played a role in the killings.
The 16-year-old is charged with four counts of murder and weapons offenses. He is being held at the Middlesex County Youth Detention Center and is represented by a public defender.
Gramiccioni said the family members were in different rooms at the time of the shooting.
Schultz lived in Ocean Township and had a "close family relationship" with the 16-year-old's grandfather, Gramiccioni said.
Family friends have described the teen as having special needs. Gramiccioni said he could not comment on the teenager's mental status.
The 16-year-old attended a school, Gramiccioni said, but he declined to identify the school.
"A quadruple homicide investigation, this is the first that I've seen or heard of it and certainly the first that I've participated in as prosecutor in this county," Gramiccioni said.
The Kologis' oldest son, also named Steven Kologi, wrote on Instagram Monday that his parents were "great people" and that Brittany was "beautiful and smart."
A GoFundMe page established by a family friend to cover funeral expenses has already raised more than its goal of $20,000.
"Linda, Steven, and Brittany were all beautiful people with the kindest hearts you could imagine," Brian Yunker, of West Long Branch, wrote on the page. "All donations will go directly to a proper burial. Thank you all for the support."
Brittany Kologi, 18, had recently finished her first semester as a freshman at Stockton University, where she was a heath sciences student and lived on campus, according to the school.
"We are shocked and saddened by the reports of the death of freshman Brittany Kologi under such tragic circumstances," the school said in a statement, adding that counseling staff are available for her friends and classmates at Stockton.
Funeral services have not been announced. A vigil has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at Franklin Lake Park in West Long Branch.
Staff reporter Kelly Heyboer contributed to this report.
Marisa Iati may be reached at miati@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @Marisa_Iati or on Facebook here. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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