Brother and Sister Arraigned for Pellet Gun Shootings in Hackensack

By Travis Tormey posted in Weapons Offenses on Saturday, August 24, 2013

Last week, a Hackensack man and his sister were arraigned in connection with a pair of pellet gun shootings in mid-March in Hackensack.

According to Hackensack police, 26-year-old Nicholas Battaglia was shooting at people “for fun.” The victims were standing in the area of a Pizza Hut parking lot across from Mr. Battaglia’s apartment.

After detectives canvassed the area, they focused on Mr. Battaglia’s apartment. When detectives knocked on the door, they spotted the box for an air rifle inside the apartment.

Authorities later recovered from Mr. Battaglia’s apartment a .177 caliber Crosman Air Rifle.

Mr. Battaglia and his sister, 30-year-old Rebecca Battaglia, were arrested and taken to Hackensack Police headquarters.

Mr. Battaglia has been charged with several weapons offenses, including unlawful possession of a weapon. Ms. Battaglia faces charges related to covering up the crime, including hindering apprehension.

Unlawful possession of a pellet gun is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5. Even possessing a lawfully purchased pellet gun can result in serious criminal charges and a lengthy prison sentenced. As set forth by the statute, unlawful possession of a pellet gun can be classified as a second degree criminal offense because a pellet gun is considered a “weapon” for purposes of the statute. If convicted of this charge, Mr. Battaglia could be sentenced to as many as ten (10) years in New Jersey State Prison.

Mr. Battaglia remains in the Bergen County Jail on $75,000.00 bail. Meanwhile, Ms. Battaglia has been released from custody while she awaits trial.

For more information, see the CliffviewPilot.com article entitled “Arraignments for Brother, Sister in Hackensack Pellet Gun Shootings.“