MAN CHARGED WITH ARSON AND VIOLATION OF REGULATORY PROVISIONS RELATING TO FIREARMS IN CONNECTION WITH JACKSON TOWNSHIP WILDFIRE
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette announced that on November 8, 2024, Richard Shashaty, 37, of Brick Township, was charged with Arson and Violation of the Regulatory Provisions Relating to Firearms, in connection with a wildfire that began in Jackson Township on November 6, 2024.
On November 6, 2024, at approximately 12:15 p.m., the Jackson Township Police and Fire Departments along, with the Department of Environmental Protection’s New Jersey Forest Fire Service, were dispatched to the area of the Central Jersey Rifle Range on Stump Tavern Road for a report of a wildfire. The fire has burned approximately 350 acres. A thorough and extensive investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, New Jersey Forest Fire Service, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, Jackson Township Police Department Detective Bureau, New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office, New Jersey State Police Office of Emergency Management, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection-New Jersey Fish and Wildlife, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, determined that the origin of the fire was behind a berm in the Southwest corner of the Rifle Club, and the fire was caused by magnesium shards of a Dragons Breath 12 gauge shotgun round igniting available combustibles on the berm of the shooting range. The firing of this type of incendiary or tracer ammunition is prohibited in the State of New Jersey.
Further investigation revealed that Shashaty was responsible for firing the ammunition and igniting the fire. On November 9, 2024, Shashaty surrendered himself to Jackson Township Police Headquarters in the presence of his attorney. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer and Commissioner LaTourette acknowledge the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, New Jersey Forest Fire Service, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, Jackson Township Police Department Detective Bureau, New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office, New Jersey State Police Office of Emergency Management, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection-New Jersey Fish and Wildlife, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their combined and cooperative efforts in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).

We have not had any rain since Sept 15Th. Fire dangers are through the roof in the Midlantic states.

https://www.facebook.com/JerseyShoreNews

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the fire was caused by magnesium shards of a Dragons Breath 12 gauge shotgun round igniting available combustibles on the berm of the shooting range

Guy thought he was John Wick.

Jesus, man. Edit that subject line for the ALL CAPS.

Dragon's Breath rounds: What to know about the shotgun shells that started Jackson's fire


JACKSON — Magnesium sparks from a 12-gauge Dragon's Breath shotgun round ignited a wildfire in Jackson last week that led to the evacuation of homes and scorched 350 acres of forest, according to state and county authorities.
Richard Shashaty, 37, of Brick was charged with arson and violation of the regulatory provisions relating to firearms after firing the Dragon's Breath shell at the Central Jersey Rifle Club on Stump Tavern Road, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette said in a joint statement Saturday.
On Wednesday, 15 homes and three horse farms were evacuated as a result of the ensuing wildfire and 25 homes were threatened, according to authorities. Evacuees were allowed to return home late Wednesday.
What is a Dragon's Breath shotgun shell?
A Dragon's Breath shotgun shell typically shoots magnesium sparks to create an explosive display.
"Dragon’s breath rounds primarily consist of magnesium pellets/shard," said Ocean County Prosecutor's Office spokesman Bryan Huntenburg. "When the round is fired it produces spark and flames that can extend up to 100 feet. The pellets that are shot out ignite and burn at temperatures between 3,000 degrees to 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit."
Dragon's Breath shells gained popularity in 2023 after being prominently featured in the Keanu Reeves's movie John Wick 4, according to Phoenix Rising Exotic Ammunition of Kennesaw, Georgia,
A Dragon's Breath shell "should be used with caution as it can cause fires if it lands in dry brush, trees or other flammable objects," seller KIR Ammo of Forth Worth, Texas, wrote on the company's website. "Therefore, it is important to use this type of ammunition only in a safe and controlled setting with the proper precautions in place."
Central New Jersey remains under severe and extreme drought conditions as of Sunday. State officials have banned all campfires and agricultural burning as a result and are urging residents not to create sparks outdoors that could ignite fires.
What are Dragon's Breath shotgun shells used for?
Dragon's Breath shells are commonly used to signal a shooter's location or to signal for help, according to the website of American Specialty Ammo of Wadsworth, Ohio.
They can also be used to simulate a flamethrower.
"While Dragon’s Breath rounds are not practical for hunting, combat, or self-defense, the effect that they create makes them extremely popular for recreational purposes," according to KIR Ammo.Where are Dragon's Breath shells illegal?
Incendiary rounds like Dragon's Breath shells are illegal in New Jersey, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Dragon's Breath rounds are also illegal in Alaska, California, Washington D.C., Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Massachusetts, Illinois and New York, according to ammunition sellers.

https://www.app.com/story/news...asburypark-nletter04

This guy is screwed!

I imagine he’ll be billed for suppression too. Fuck ‘im. Idiot.

Lots of people and agencies were involved in this investigation.
Must be a Jersey thing!

Yoop 10 million people live in a space where only 1 million should. Forest fires here are not like one in a sparsely populated area. This guy just gave The anti-gun people a lot of ammo. A legal Gun owner under a tristate severe drought warning fired illegal ammo at a gun range and caused all this damage to people's homes and property. Just stupid and he will get his balls removed for it.

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A thorough and extensive investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, New Jersey Forest Fire Service, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, Jackson Township Police Department Detective Bureau, New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office, New Jersey State Police Office of Emergency Management, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection-New Jersey Fish and Wildlife, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, determined...

Prosecutor Billhimer and Commissioner LaTourette acknowledge the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, New Jersey Forest Fire Service, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, Jackson Township Police Department Detective Bureau, New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office, New Jersey State Police Office of Emergency Management, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection-New Jersey Fish and Wildlife, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their combined and cooperative efforts...

Dude obviously deserves everything he gets but DAMN, talk about a RIDICULOUS waste of .gov resources (AND taxpayer dollars!), though alas, that's just par for the course in 'New Jermany'!

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Originally posted by nhracecraft:

quote:

A thorough and extensive investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, New Jersey Forest Fire Service, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, Jackson Township Police Department Detective Bureau, New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office, New Jersey State Police Office of Emergency Management, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection-New Jersey Fish and Wildlife, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, determined...

Prosecutor Billhimer and Commissioner LaTourette acknowledge the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, New Jersey Forest Fire Service, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, Jackson Township Police Department Detective Bureau, New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office, New Jersey State Police Office of Emergency Management, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection-New Jersey Fish and Wildlife, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their combined and cooperative efforts...

Dude obviously deserves everything he gets but DAMN, talk about a RIDICULOUS waste of .gov resources (AND taxpayer dollars!), though alas, that's just par for the course in 'New Jermany'!

NH, as an ex Pat of NJ you know how it works here!