New Jersey Teen Accused of Killing Parents, Relative Says He 'Knows Right From Wrong'

A teenage boy will appear in court on Tuesday after being arrested for the alleged murder of his father, mother, sister and family friend in their New Jersey home on New Year's Eve, but as police continue to investigate the shocking case, a relative of the boy said he "knows right from wrong."

The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office has not released the name of the 16-year-old, who does not have a criminal history, but is considering trying the teen in adult court, according to a CBS News report. The suspect's father and mother, Steve and Linda Kologi, as well as his sister Brittany Kologi and a family friend named Mary Schultz were found dead on the scene by Long Branch police and the Monmouth County Sheriff's department.

Walter Montelione, the cousin of the deceased Linda Kologi, told local news that the teenager who now faces multiple charges, including four counts of murder, was a good kid. "The Kologis were very caring, loving people and always looking to do fun things with their kids," Montelione told CBS New York while crying over the phone. "He was a good kid. He was, a little you know, slow with learning disabilities, but he knows right from wrong."

Another family friend, Joe Rios, painted a similar picture of the happy family and told the station that the boy was "always smiling, not a violent kid or anything like that." Neighbors of the Long Branch family said that the 16-year-old suspect required special assistance.

The suspect's brother and grandfather were not killed during the Sunday incident, and while police have not disclosed a motive, the semi-automatic rifle used in the shooting was registered to one of the home's residents. The prosecutor's office said Monday that the teen was "taken into custody without incident."

The Lakewood Scoop tweeted a video of police responding to the crime scene on Sunday night. Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said that it was "a terribly tragic incident."