Justice Deas, 17, was shot and killed inside her Edison, New Jersey townhouse in the early hours of January 10, 2026. A 911 call reporting shots fired came in at about 1:19 a.m.; first responders found her deceased from a gunshot wound.

A 17-year-old male from Plainfield who investigators say was in a romantic relationship with Deas was at the scene and was taken into custody. He has been charged with acts of juvenile delinquency that are the juvenile equivalents of manslaughter and weapons offenses. The prosecutor’s office has not yet announced whether he will be tried as an adult. Reports indicate no one else was believed to be in the home at the time.

Friends and family held a vigil outside the apartment complex, leaving candles and balloons and remembering Deas as a protector and the life of the party. If anyone knew Justice, the relationship she was in, or has information about the night of January 10, please share what you know.