NJ police chief condemns relative accused of stalking, killing 2 teen girls in hit-and-run as he mourns death of neighbor

A New Jersey police chief denounced his relative, accused of mowing down two teen girls – one of whom he was allegedly stalking – as the top cop mourned the death of his neighbor.Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro distanced himself from his distant relative, who was charged with double murder in the killings of 17-year-olds Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas in Cranford, NJ on Monday.“While social media has made it known that the accused is related to me, he is not my son and not a member of my immediate family,” Battiloro wrote in a statement to Facebook on Wednesday.“I want to be clear, as loud and as firm as possible, that in NO WAY do my wife, children or I condone, defend, or excuse the actions that caused this terrible and tragic loss of life.”Niotis and Salas, both students at Cranford High School, were riding an e-bike together when a driver in a black 2021 Jeep rammed into them at around 5:30 p.m.Monday.Both girls died at the hospital.“Like many of you, I am shocked, stunned, and so overwhelmingly distressed beyond belief by the horrific loss of two young ladies,” Battiloro said“As a result of this tragic incident, I lost a neighbor – a beautiful, charismatic young lady named Isabella Salas, who I have watched grow up since the day I moved to Cranford.”The police chief said he and his officers responded to the scene of the crash that mortally wounded the two girls.Battiloro had remained silent until investigators charged a 17-year-old boy with two counts of murder on Wednesday, calling for justice for the two teens.

The suspect has not been named publicly as he’s a minor.“I do unequivocably condemn the actions of the accused, and like you, I demand that he face the consequences of his alleged actions in a court of law,” Battiloro said.“As a law enforcement officer, I maintain full faith and confidence in our criminal justice system, and that it will ensure he is held fully accountable.

I, too, pray for these families...