Overview
- Police are investigating reports of a shooting at Ocean County Mall in Toms River, with scanner traffic saying a 17-year-old was hit near the Applebee's.
- Emergency crews and a large police presence were reported at the shopping center after the call.
- Dispatch descriptions pointed to a suspect described as a Black male in a hoodie and jeans who left in a grey sedan.
- Officials had not released the victim's condition or a possible motive.
- Some coverage framed the episode as active-shooter reports, though police had not confirmed details or issued a statement.