Later Wednesday, well after news of the charges, the police chief of neighboring Westfield shared on social media that he was related to the suspect. He didn't specify the nature of the relation, but said the teen is not his son nor a "member of his immediate family." "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," Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro said in a statement
Luna-Perez has been living in Red Bank, N.J., since early 2023, federal sources told The Post. When and where he allegedly snuck into the U.S. is not known.
"The defendant allegedly transformed his vehicle into a deadly weapon to carry out a violent and alarmingly fatal act," Tierney said. "This particularly dangerous escalation of violence is one our office takes very seriously."