NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., Dec. 28 (UPI) -- A 19-year-old New Jersey man, described by a relative as a "teenager who snapped," was charged Friday with killing his police officer father.
John Mahoney appeared dazed during a court appearance, The Courier News of Bridgewater reported. He was arraigned on a first-degree murder charge for allegedly shooting his father, Jerry Mahoney, in the house they shared in Piscataway.
Police, summoned by a 911 call from the son, found Jerry Mahoney in a chair, shot three times in the head. His son claimed his father had been killed by an intruder who had also shot him in the arm.
Jerry Mahoney had been a police officer in Piscataway for 26 years and had also served on the school board. A cousin, George Mitchell, described him in his blog as a "true angel."
"This man touched thousands of people's lives," Mitchell said. "He was an example of how a man should live his life."
Mitchell, the only relative willing to talk to reporters, told the Courier News the killing could not have been predicted.
"Clearly he snapped," Mitchell said. "He was a teenager who snapped."
