A juvenile suspect has been charged with attempted murder after a 17-year-old was shot in the face inside the Ocean County Mall in Toms River on Wednesday evening, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced Friday.

The shooting occurred at approximately 8:10 p.m. on March 25 in the mall’s common area on Hooper Avenue. According to investigators, the victim was sitting in the common area when he was confronted by an individual who attempted to start an altercation. As the individual began to walk away, he turned and fired multiple gunshots in the victim’s direction, striking him once in the face before fleeing the scene.

The victim was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where he is listed in stable condition.

The suspect, whose identity has not been released due to New Jersey law governing juvenile defendants, faces charges of attempted murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon. The suspect has been taken into custody and is being held at the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center.

The investigation was conducted jointly by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit.

“This was a senseless act of violence that has no place in our civilized society,” Prosecutor Billhimer said. “This behavior will not be tolerated here in Ocean County.”