Boy shot, killed in Gloucester County, New Jersey, police say

An investigation is underway after a boy died from a gunshot wound in Washington Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey.

On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, around 2:30 p.m., Washington Township Police responded to a home on the 400 block of Westminster Boulevard for a report of a child with a gunshot wound. When police arrived, they found a 10-year-old boy who had been shot in the head. The boy was later pronounced dead.

Police have not revealed the boy’s identity out of respect for his family but said he was a student at Birches Elementary School in Turnersville, New Jersey. The Washington Township Public School District is providing counseling and support services for students, staff and families.

Birches Elementary was placed on lockdown for a short while as officials investigated the scene.

"The Washington Township Public Schools are devastated to learn of the passing of one of our young students at Birches Elementary School. We have maintained constant communication with the Washington Township Police Department regarding the incident. The WTPD are investigating the situation and are handling all communication, as this is being treated as a police and community matter. Our hearts go out to the student's family and loved ones, and we mourn this sudden loss deeply. We are unable to comment beyond that at this time," the Washington Township School District said in a statement.

Neighbors described the area where the shooting took place as quiet.

"I can't believe it. I can't believe it. It's just horrible," one neighbor told NBC10.

The Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office told NBC10 Wednesday that they continue to investigate and are still working on sorting out the details about the circumstances that led to the tragedy. The prosecutor's office stressed that the shooting death was an isolated incident and there is no threat to the community.

A source told NBC10 that the child was found alone and no one is being sought in connection to the shooting. 

The Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the incident. If you have any information, please call Washington Township Police at 856-589-0330.

With the tragedy affecting many people in the Gloucester County community, NBC10 spoke with an expert who shared advice for parents. Esther Deblinger, PhD, is a professor of psychiatry at the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine. She is also the co-director of the Rowan-Virtua CARES Institute.

Deblinger said open and proactive communication with children after a tragedy is important.

“I think the more upfront parents are, the more they will be modeling for their child that it is okay to talk about this," said Deblinger. "It might be the first conversation that parents have with their child about death, but it is better that they have that open line of dialogue than it is for the child to be thinking about it in their own head without any guidance.”

On Wednesday, May 7, parents, community members and officials of Washington Township Public Schools District held a moment of silence during the board meeting in honor of the boy.

"This is a very proud community. One that has been around for quite some time, so we all feel the pain," Washington Township teacher Gerry Taraschi said.

Taraschi has been a teacher at this district for over 50 years and, over the years, 13 of his students have passed away.

"This young man was not one of my students but I can sympathize to those staff members who work in that building," Taraschi said.