NJ police chief breaks silence after teen Jeep murder suspect is tied to family Sergio Bichao Published: October 1, 2025 Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro (westfieldnj.gov)

The police chief in Westfield released a lengthy statement on Wednesday to distance himself from the juvenile suspect charged with murdering two 17-year-old girls with his Jeep in Cranford on Monday afternoon.

Battiloro clarifies family ties amid online speculation

Westfield Chief Christopher Battiloro , who lives in the Cranford neighborhood where the homicide unfolded, clarified that the 17-year-old murder suspect is not his son after social media comments revealed that he was a relative in a family with retired and serving members of law enforcement. At least one AI-generated article wrong

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