(NewsNation) — Funeral services have been announced for two young New Jersey girls who were allegedly stalked and killed by a 17-year-old boy in Cranford.
The 17-year-old victims, Isabella Salas and Maria Niotis, were on an e-bike when they were hit by a car at around 5:30 p.m. Monday. They were rushed to the hospital but died of their injuries.
Niotis’ funeral was Friday morning while Salas’ visitation will be held Saturday morning. Both girls are to be laid to rest at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, NJ.
According to court documents, the suspect accused of deliberately hitting and killing the girls was issued 15 tickets, including leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving, careless driving and speeding.
Currently, the case is in the juvenile court, but minors 15 or older can be tried as adults in the state if a prosecutor files a waiver motion and the court finds probable cause. It’s not yet clear if he will be charged as an adult.
The victims’ families released a statement to WNYW, saying, “It is now vital that the truth be shared: this was not an e-bike accident, and it was not a hit-and-run. This was murder in the first degree.”
They described Battiloro as “a coward of a man, who had been plotting this attack against Maria for months, carried out this horrific act, taking not only her life but also Isabella’s. He is not insane, he is competent and medicated.”
Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro released a statement via Facebook confirming he is related to the accused killer.
“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,” he wrote.
“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.”
The suspect appeared to defend himself on YouTube Tuesday, saying in a video that the crash was “an absolute unfortunate situation.”
“There’s more to the story that you’re not getting,” he said. “But when the time comes, I will explain it in greater detail.”
NewsNation’s Patrick Djordjevic contributed to this report.