4 teens arrested after New Brunswick, NJ paintball shootings

NEW BRUNSWICK – Four people have been arrested in connection with a drive-by shooting using paintball guns near the campus of Rutgers University.

New Brunswick police received several reports early Monday night from people who said they were shot at with paintballs fired from a gray or silver Toyota or Nissan sedan around 6 p.m. The shootings were reported on Railroad Avenue and near Feaster Park.

No one was injured and all declined medical attention.

Three young men from New Brunswick — Angel Cruz, 18, Jose Perez-Leyva, 18, Pedro Vasquez-Toribio, 19, and a 17-year-old — were found soon after in a vehicle with a paintball gun, over 50 paintballs and multiple carbon-dioxide canisters used to shoot the paintball gun.

The adults were charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and criminal mischief. The juvenile was charged with juvenile delinquency.

Connection to other city shootings

Deputy Director J.T. Miller said the department has been investigating several similar incidents over the last few weeks to determine if they are related to Tuesday evening’s arrests or were part of the TikTok Orbeez Challenge.

Several other New Jersey communities have issued warnings about the Orbeez challenge.

Nutley Police Chief Thomas Strumolo said kids in Nutley are shooting battery-operated Gel Blaster pellets called "gellets" at passing vehicles. They don't cause damage but can act as a distraction to a driver who becomes startled.

Westfield police arrested four juvenile males from Linden on Friday evening after two pedestrians were hit by shots from a pellet gun fired in the area of East Broad Street and Elmer Street. They were charged with four counts of unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH

LOOK: States With the Most New Small Businesses Per Capita

To find the top 20 states with the most new small businesses per capita, Simply Business analyzed the Census Bureau’s Business Formation Statistics from August 2020 to July 2021.

These are the best hiking spots in New Jersey

A trip to New Jersey doesn't have to be all about the beach. Our state has some incredible trails, waterfalls, and lakes to enjoy.

From the Pine Barrens to the Appalachian Trail to the hidden gems of New Jersey, you have plenty of options for a great hike. Hiking is such a great way to spend time outdoors and enjoy nature, plus it's a great workout.

Before you go out on the trails and explore some of our listeners' suggestions, I have some tips on hiking etiquette from the American Hiking Society.

If you are going downhill and run into an uphill hiker, step to the side and give the uphill hiker space. A hiker going uphill has the right of way unless they stop to catch their breath.

Always stay on the trail, you may see side paths, unless they are marked as an official trail, steer clear of them. By going off-trail you may cause damage to the ecosystems around the trail, the plants, and wildlife that live there.

You also do not want to disturb the wildlife you encounter, just keep your distance from the wildlife and continue hiking.

Bicyclists should yield to hikers and horses. Hikers should also yield to horses, but I’m not sure how many horses you will encounter on the trails in New Jersey.

If you are thinking of bringing your dog on your hike, they should be leashed, and make sure to clean up all pet waste.

Lastly, be mindful of the weather, if the trail is too muddy, it's probably best to save your hike for another day.

I asked our listeners for their suggestions of the best hiking spots in New Jersey, check out their suggestions:

How the world saw New Jersey — 1940s to 1980s

This is how New Jersey saw the world from 1940-to 1980. All these photos are from AP and Getty publications, meaning they were used in a magazine or newspaper. There has been plenty of inventions and history made in New Jersey. Check the photos below.

Filed Under: Crime, Essex County, Middlesex County, New Brunswick, Nutley, Union County, Westfield

Categories: New Jersey News