Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on September 23, 2026, Brian Lanzim, 37, of Bangor, Maine, was indicted by a Grand Jury sitting in Ocean County on three counts of Attempted Murder, two counts of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Home Invasion Burglary, Unlawful Use of Body Armor, and two counts of Terroristic Threats, all in connection with events related to a non-fatal police officer involved shooting that occurred in South Toms River on April 29, 2026.
On April 29, 2026, Officers from the South Toms River Police Department responded to a residence on Dover Road in response to threats having been made by Lanzim involving the residents of the home. The threats indicated that Lanzim was traveling from Maine to South Toms River and that he was armed. While Officers from the South Toms River Police Department were present in the area of the residence, Lanzim drove his vehicle across the front lawn – toward an Officer – causing that Officer to take cover behind a fence. Lanzim then exited his vehicle and attempted to enter a locked door of the residence. Officers confronted Lanzim who was observed to be wearing a body armor bullet-proof vest and armed with a handgun. After providing several commands that were not followed, an Officer from the South Toms River Police Department discharged his department issued weapon, striking Lanzim in the pelvis and hand. Lanzim was subsequently disarmed, and the Officers rendered medical aid to Lanzim. Lanzim was then transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment of his injuries. Further investigation revealed that Lanzim also possessed a loaded rifle and large capacity ammunition magazines in his vehicle.
Upon his discharge from the hospital, Lanzim was transported to the Ocean County Jail where he has been lodged since May 4, 2026.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Mara Brater who presented the case to the Grand Jury on behalf of the State, and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards Unit, South Toms River Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).