16-Year-Old Autistic Child in Jersey Shore Murders his Entire Family in New Year's Massacre

Law enforcement in New Jersey responded to a terrifying incident near the Jersey Shore where a 16-Year-Old is responsible for brutally murdering his entire family late on New Year's Eve.

At around midnight on New Year's Eve, emergency 911 dispatchers received a call from someone inside the home saying that shots had been fired.

Police then sent emergency responders to the 300 Block of Wall Street in Long Branch in New Jersey, where they would be horrified at the scene of violence which they'd walked into.

The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office said that all four family members, including the teenager's father 44-year-old Steven Kologi, his mother 42-year-old Linda Kologi, his sister 18-year-old Brittany Kologi, and 70-year-old Mary Schultz, a “family acquaintance”,

UPDATE: Video of the Long Branch shooting scene. pic.twitter.com/TVJDTn7Da7

— The Lakewood Scoop (@LakewoodScoop) January 1, 2018

According to the Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni, the teenager used a semi-automatic assault rifle to murder his family, and attempted to kill two more, the grandfather and brother, who both were able to flee the scene of terror.

"This is a terribly tragic incident," Gramiccioni said at a news conference early Monday morning. "We are confident that it was a domestic issue. The investigation continues, and the public is not at risk."

Gramiccioni also said that the teenager will be facing four counts of first degree homicide, and illegal use of a firearm; and that he could be charged as an adult.

The weapon used is reported to be a Century Arms "semi-automatic assault rifle", and was used to gun down each of the deceased, authorities said.

The gun was legally owned and registered to a family member, although which family member it was registered to is remaining under wraps for now, Gramiccioni said.

The teenager's name is currently not being released to protect his identity, although this could change after an arraignment.

Neighbors reported to the New York Post that the child is autistic, although it's unknown what triggered the murders.

“I came outside last night about midnight to look and see what’s going on,” said neighbor James Roskowinski. “I was saying, ‘I’m pretty sure that was gunshots.’ Looked outside, before you know it cop down here, cop down there lined up around the street.”

"The Kologis were very caring, loving people and always looking to do fun things with their kids," Walter Montelione, Linda Kologi's cousin, toldWCBS-TV. "He was a good kid. He was a little, you know, slow with learning disabilities, but he knows right from wrong."

Brittany Kologi was enrolled as freshman at Stockton University, in Galloway Township, New Jersey; where she studied health sciences, according to a university spokeswoman.

"We are shocked and saddened by the reports of the death of freshman Brittany Kologi under such tragic circumstances," Diane D'Amico, a Stockton University spokeswoman said. She added that counseling staff will be on hand for students.

An absolute tragedy.

Anyone with any additional information about the case can call Detective Andrea Tozzi, of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, at 800-533-7443, or Police Detective Michael Verdadiero at 732-222-1000.