Vincent Battiloro, a 17-year-old boy from New Jersey and a self-professed “nice kid,” is facing double murder charges; accused of mowing down two girls in a fatal 70-MPH-hit-and-run over late Controversial conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
According to court records the fatal hit-and-run occurred on Monday (September 29) on Burnside Avenue in Cranford, New Jersey. Battiloro allegedly drove a black 2021 Jeep Compass at least 70 miles per hour in a 25 mph zone.
Police alleged Battiloro mowed down two 17-year-old girls, Maria Niotis and her friend Isabella Salas. Battiloro allegedly then ditched the car and fled the scene, without calling authorities or rendering aid. Later that evening, police detained Battiloro for questioning and released him pending further investigation. The next morning, police officially arrested him. Battiloro is now facing two first-degree murder charges in the double murder.
Police also slapped him with at least 15 tickets and citations related to the crash. These include: speeding, reckless driving, and driving without a license, per court records.
Following his arrest after the crash, Battiloro took to his YouTube channel again. He spoke about the case and claims he was bullied and “there’s more to the story.” He said, “I’ve been bullied, ridiculed and stuff over false allegations, OK? Over this whole thing about things that have happened in the past. There’s more to this story. It’ll come out in the future.”
17-Year-Old Vincent Battiloro Accused Of Stalking And Bullying Deceased Hit-And-Run Victim Maria Niotis, Her Family Says Police Ignored Her Reports
According to the victims’ relatives, Battiloro was allegedly stalking, harassing, and threatening one of the girls online, identified as Maria Niotis. The family said a restraining order was filed against him before the crash. In various videos posted to Battiloro’s YouTube channel, he’s talked about Niotis in the past.
In one clip, he told a friend, “Hey, whenever Maria sees the pizza guy come, she’s gonna think of Charlie Kirk; for making fun of his f***ing death. Stupid a** clown. Just remember that.” Battiloro’s friend asked him, “What about Charlie Kirk?”. He responded, “Nah, she made fun of Charlie Kirk’s death on TikTok on a repost. Maybe her mother should monitor her social media activities.”
Fatal Hit-And-Run’s Responding Officer Is A Police Chief Who’s Related To The 17-Year-Old Suspect, Suspect’s Father Is Also A Cop
Niotis’ reported Battiloro’s behavior to police multiple times, but family says they ignored her. It’s also reported that Battiloro’s father is a police officer and another relative is a police chief in a neighboring town.
According to reports, Christopher Battiloro, police chief of Westfield, responded to the crash and confirmed the suspect is his relative, but is not a member of his immediate family. He said he lives in the neighborhood where the crash happened and offered condolences to the victims’ families.
Under the Westfield Police Department Facebook account, the chief in part 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 … I, too, pray for these families. I, too, demand full accountability and justice. As a result of this tragic incident, I lost a neighbor – a beautiful, charismatic young lady named Isabella Salas, who I have watched grow up since the day I moved to Cranford.”
#Socialites, be sure to check out the post below, then leave us your thoughts in a comment after!