Ribbons for Brandon Holt, Shot By 4-Year-Old, as Investigation Continues

Purple ribbons lined the entire length McCormick Drive Thursday, tied around trees and mailboxes in memory of Brandon Holt, the 6-year-old who died from an injury suffered during an accidental shooting Monday. 

The Cedar Grove neighborhood plans to hold a memorial for Holt on Saturday evening, the same day a funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Toms River, a neighbor said.

On Thursday, a family member at the Holt home said that the family was not currently staying at the house. The home where the shooting occurred remained unoccupied, as it has been for the past few days.

Holt's father told news reporters that his son's organs were donated, saying they "could do some good."

Despite reports from other media outlets naming the parents of the 4-year-old as Anthony and Melissa Senatore, Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office Spokeswoman Haleigh Walz was not able to confirm their identities Thursday morning.

"I'm not sure if that information is accurate, and we would not release any information concerning minors, unless charges were to be released," Walz said.

She added she didn't expect any charges to come out of the Prosecutor's Office this afternoon.

Even though the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office has handed off the case to Atlantic County authorities because of a potential conflict, the Toms River Police Department will assist in the investigation as needed, said Chief of Police Michael Mastronardy. 

Visitation for Holt will be held Friday, April 12 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m., as well as Saturday, April 13 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Carmona-Bolen Home for Funerals in Toms River. The Saturday funeral mass will begin at 10:30 a.m.

Brandon was shot by a 4-year-old neighbor with a .22 caliber rifle obtained from inside the younger boy's home. The incident remains under investigation, authorities said.