In the early morning hours of January 10, 2026, the life of 17-year-old Justice Deas was tragically cut short in her Edison, New Jersey home. A 911 call reporting shots fired from a townhouse on Grove Avenue was received at approximately 1:19 a.m. Upon their arrival, first responders discovered the teenage girl deceased inside the residence from a gunshot wound.
Present at the scene was a 17-year-old male from Plainfield, who was immediately taken into custody by authorities. Investigators have stated that the suspect was in a romantic relationship with Deas. It is believed that no one else was in the home at the time of the shooting. While the suspect's name has not been publicly released due to his age, he has been charged with acts of juvenile delinquency. These charges would be equivalent to manslaughter and weapons offenses if he were an adult.
The prosecutor's office has yet to decide if he will be tried as an adult.
Friends and family of Justice Deas gathered for a vigil, leaving behind a memorial of candles and balloons outside the apartment complex. They remembered her as a protector and the life of the party, a "beautiful soul" who was always there for those she cared about. One friend, Leila Martinez, who had known Deas since middle school, tearfully recalled how Justice always stood up for her. Another longtime friend, Shamai, expressed his disbelief and deep sorrow, stating that he had known her for over ten years and that she was "everybody's favorite."
