Crime & Safety

Bayville Man Found Shot In Municipal Court Bathroom Committed Suicide


by Patricia A. Miller


A Bayville man who was found shot in the Berkeley Municipal Court bathroom late Tuesday night died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest, according to the Ocean County Medical Examiner's Office.

Thomas Wright, 69, was reported missing earlier Tuesday by family members. When police found his car in the Town Hall parking lot, they began an immediate search of the public buildings in the complex, police have said.

"They didn't know he had a gun," Della Fave said. "They just thought they were looking for an elderly male."

The restrooms are located in the lobby of the building. The lobby doors are locked at the end of the workday, unless court is in session. There was no court session on Tuesday.

"It's a public place," Della Fave said. "The good news is that thank God no on else was present and no one from the public was subjected to finding him."


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