The law firm of Gill & Chamas has been retained by the family of Brandon Holt. On April 8, 2013, Brandon, 6 years old, was playing at the home of neighbors Anthony and Mellissa Senatore on McCormick Drive in Toms River, New Jersey. Mr. Senatore’s 4 year old son took a loaded .22 caliber rifle from the bedroom of the home and brought it outside where children, including Brandon, were playing. The child fired the gun once, striking Brandon in the head. He was rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, New Jersey, where he died the next day.
Anthony Senatore, 33, a construction contractor, was arrested on the evening of May 13, 2013, and charged with five counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and one third-degree count of the crime. He also faces a disorderly person’s charge of enabling access by minors to a loaded firearm. Authorities say that in addition to the rifle, police found four unsecured shotguns in Senatore’s home. Authorities said those guns were stored near ammunition and were accessible to all three of Senatore’s children, ages 12, 8, and 4. Due to Mr. Senatore’s family having ties to the Toms River Police Department and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, the criminal matter is being handled by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, but will be tried in the Superior Court of New Jersey in Ocean County.
A fund has been established in Brandon’s memory, with all proceeds going towards the payment of medical bills, as well as helping the Holt family relocate. Those wishing to contribute are asked to visit www.brandonholtmemorial.com.
Brandon’s parents, Ronald and Christine Holt, have retained Gill & Chamas to pursue a wrongful death civil action against Anthony and Melissa Senatore, as well as to assist them during the criminal matter.
