New Jersey Resident Shoots Alleged Teenage Car Burglar: Officials

A New Jersey resident shot a teen who was allegedly trying to burglarizing his car early Tuesday morning, officials said.

Police say the 19-year-old was trying to break into a car on Farnham Avenue in Garfield around 3:20 a.m. when the resident shot at him. 

The teen made it to a McDonald’s a few blocks from the car after he was shot, where he asked for a cup of water. 

A few seconds later, he had fallen to the floor, a manager who works at the McDonald's told News 4.

The teen was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center with a gunshot wound to the torso, the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office said. He was in serious but stable condition as of Tuesday afternoon, according to prosecutors.

A suspect was taken into custody at the scene of the shooting, but hadn't been charged as of Tuesday afternoon, prosecutors said. 

Neighbors told News 4 they heard gunshots around 3:20 a.m.

"I heard three shots, and this kid was running like his butt was on fire," said Cherice Ritchie. 

"Gunshots woke my husband out of a deep sleep, and then he woke everybody else up," said Maria Nasello. 

One neighbor said she called 911 after she saw the teen running down the street. 

Video obtained by News 4 shows the car's rear window bashed in, but it wasn't immediately clear whether the damage was caused by the alleged burglary or by gunshots.

The Bergen County Prosecutors said the man who fired the shots is in custody, but it's unclear if he will be charged. Residents in the neighborhood agree, though, the car burglary is not worth taking someone's life.

"I don't think it's enough to shoot somebody for breaking into a car," said Ritchie. "Tackle him, drop him by the neck, do whatever you have to do to hold them there -- you can do that."