Justice Deas, a 17-year-old girl, was shot and killed in her home in Edison, New Jersey. The suspect, a 17-year-old boy from Plainfield, was taken into custody and charged with juvenile delinquency related to weapons and manslaughter. The two were in a dating relationship. The incident occurred at approximately 1:19 a.m. on January 10, 2026. No one else was present during the shooting. The community mourned her unexpected death with memorials.
Country: United States
State/Province: New Jersey, United States
City/Region: Edison
Incident Type: Murder
Relationship Status: Dating
Relationship Duration:
Incident Date: Jan. 10, 2026
Relationship Origins:
Relationship Stages:
Contributing Factors:
Red Flags:
Motives:
Relationship Outcomes:
How the relationship or connection began.
Important relationship phases recorded for this case.
Reported red flags or early concern points.
Contributing factors and possible motives from the available sources.
2026-01-10
Recorded relationship or case outcome.
English labels are shown first. Original-language titles are preserved for source verification.
Original language: English
Prosecutors say gunman in New Jersey teen's death is 17-year-old boy she was dating
Domestic Violence
The incident involves a fatal shooting within a dating relationship, indicating a domestic violence pattern. The suspect was the victim's boyfriend, and the shooting occurred in the victim's home with no other persons present. The case reflects risks associated with intimate partner violence among teenagers.
The suspect was immediately taken into custody and charged with juvenile delinquency related to weapons and manslaughter. The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office and Edison Police Department are involved. No other suspects or persons were present. Investigation is pending.
No reported confusion or conflicting claims regarding suspect identity or incident circumstances.
On January 10, 2026, at approximately 1:19 a.m., a 911 call reported shots fired at a townhome in Edison, New Jersey. First responders found Justice Deas deceased inside her home. The suspect, her 17-year-old boyfriend from Plainfield, was present and taken into custody. The two had been in a dating relationship. No other individuals were at the scene. The suspect faces juvenile delinquency charges equivalent to weapons and manslaughter offenses.
High risk due to firearm use in a domestic conflict within a dating relationship, resulting in fatality.
Early intervention in domestic conflicts among teenagers is critical. Firearm access in intimate relationships poses significant risks. Community support and awareness can aid in prevention. The case highlights the vulnerability of young dating partners to lethal violence.
Reported firearm presence and domestic conflict within the dating relationship were key early signals.
The suspect's presence at the scene and relationship to the victim helped connect the case.
Physical evidence includes the firearm and the victim's body found at the home; suspect custody supports the case.
Friends and relatives identified the victim and confirmed the dating relationship; no direct eyewitness accounts of the shooting reported.
No follow-up reports available beyond initial arrest and charges.
Exact motive and detailed circumstances of the shooting remain unclear.