“The public should not have to worry that
sensitive information will be illegally accessed," Murray stated.
"These defendants at this juncture stand accused of
compromising the public’s trust."

Brendan Tevlin Credit: Seton Hall Preparatory School

​ My family would like to express our gratitude to the members of the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, West Orange Police Department
and all other Law Enforcement Agencies who have dedicated
so much of their time and resources and continue to work so diligently 
to seek justice for the horrific crime committed against our son and brother,"
commented Allison McNulty Tevlin, Brendan's mother, in a prepared statement.
"We especially appreciate the many hours they have spent
away from their loved ones and we gratefully acknowledge
the support of their families. 
We are confident that those individuals responsible for taking Brendan's life
will be punished to the fullest extent of the law. 

We would also like to recognize the town of Livingston and surrounding community, the Archdiocese of Newark, Seton Hall Prep,
St. Philomena's Parish, the Irish-American community, 
the University of Richmond, and the countless family friends
and even strangers who have provided our family
love and support over the past five weeks. 
The overwhelming number of people, both near and far,
who have told us they have been affected by Brendan's death
is not only due to the violent way in which he died
but also it is a greater acknowledgement 
to the manner in which he lived. 

We do feel it is necessary to correct speculation
made, and unfortunately repeated during the course of the investigation, 
that Brendan was targeted for this unspeakable act of violence.

That is entirely untrue.
 
Brendan was the innocent victim of a random senseless murder.
It was perpetrated by one or more strangers, which occurred while he was doing nothing more than driving home from a friend's house. 

While we cannot bring Brendan back to us, it is our sincerest hope,
that we learn from his death. And by addressing
the epidemic of gun violence plaguing our county today,
we want other families and communities to be spared
the tragic loss and sorrow we will always feel. 

As we do our best to move forward, and continue to celebrate Brendan's life,
our hope it that his personal motto, "Good Vibes and Easy Living,"
will continue to make an impact on all of us, 
so good can always triumph over evil." 

Suspects

Credit: Essex County Prosecutor's Office

Credit: Essex County Prosecutor's Office

Credit: Essex County Prosecutor's Office

Credit: Essex County Prosecutor's Office

“I applaud the hard work of the West Orange Police Department,
the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the
multiple police enforcement agencies who worked together
to solve this horrific crime," commented West Orange Mayor Robert D. Parisi.
"It is the direct result of their commitment, professionalism and dedication
that those who decide to break the law in our town will be held accountable.
The entire Township offers our continued sympathies to the Tevlin family.
They deserve justice and I can only hope
that this will bring them some sense of closure.” 

Graffiti from West Ward, Newark Credit: Jordan Allen

“The offenses charged in today’s indictment
are a checklist of the activities associated with a violent street gang
that has plagued Newark for years,” U.S. Attorney Fishman said.
“Illegal guns, violent assaults, murder – members of this gang allegedly used all of them to maintain control over the illicit drug trafficking
that is the lifeblood of their criminal enterprise.
Today’s charges call them to account for these crimes.”

“Drug dealing, illegal weapons and gang violence
destroy the quality of life in our neighborhoods,”
said FBI Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford, Newark Division.
“The charges in this indictment should reassure the residents of
Newark and New Jersey that we will continue
to aggressively address gang violence
through increased investigative strategies and a multi-agency approach.”