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Brick Man Faces Arson Charges in Jackson Wildfire Case
According to the Ocean County Prosecutors Office, The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office announced on Saturday that a man from Brick Township has been charged with arson in relation to a 350-acre wildfire in the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area that forced evacuations and threatened homes.
According to prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer,
Richard M. Shashaty, 37, has also been charged with violating firearm regulations in relation to the Shotgun Wildfire that began on Wednesday.
On November 6, 2024, at approximately 12:15 p.m., the Jackson Township Police and Fire Departments along, with the Department of Environmental Protection’s New Jersey Forest Fire Service, were dispatched to the area of the Central Jersey Rifle Range on Stump Tavern Road for a report of a wildfire. The fire has burned approximately 350 acres.
It was determined that the origin of the fire was behind a berm in the Southwest corner of the Rifle Club, and the fire was caused by magnesium shards of a Dragons Breath 12 gauge shotgun round igniting available combustibles on the berm of the shooting range. The firing of this type of incendiary or tracer ammunition is prohibited in the State of New Jersey.
Further investigation revealed that Shashaty was responsible for firing the ammunition and igniting the fire. On November 9, 2024, Shashaty surrendered himself to Jackson Township Police Headquarters in the presence of his attorney. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
