
Suspect Shot By Police in South Toms River Had Rifle, Bulletproof Vest, And Tried Ramming Cops
A Maine man has been charged with attempted murder and a host of weapons offenses after authorities say he drove toward police officers responding to threats against a South Toms River household before being shot by an officer during a confrontation last month.
Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Brian Lanzim, 37, of Bangor, Maine, was charged with three counts of attempted murder, along with multiple weapons offenses, burglary, terroristic threats, unlawful use of body armor, and 22 counts of possession of large-capacity ammunition magazines.
The charges stem from an April 29 incident on Dover Road in South Toms River.
According to prosecutors, officers from the South Toms River Police Department responded to the area after receiving reports that Lanzim had threatened residents of a home and was traveling from Maine to South Toms River while armed.
Authorities said officers were present near the residence when Lanzim allegedly drove his vehicle across the front lawn toward responding officers, forcing them to take cover behind a fence.
Investigators said Lanzim then exited the vehicle and attempted to enter a locked door at the home. Officers confronted him and observed that he was wearing a bulletproof vest and armed with a handgun, according to prosecutors.
During the encounter, a South Toms River police officer fired his department-issued weapon, striking Lanzim in the pelvis and hand. Prosecutors said Lanzim was disarmed and officers immediately rendered medical aid before he was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for treatment.
Authorities later discovered that Lanzim allegedly had a loaded rifle and numerous large-capacity ammunition magazines inside his vehicle.
After being released from the hospital, Lanzim was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he remains lodged pending a detention hearing.
The incident remains under investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Professional Standards Unit. Prosecutors said additional information will be released once the investigation is complete.