Father of N.J. boy, 4, who fatally shot playmate charged

The father of a New Jersey 4-year-old boy who fatally shot a 6-year-old playmate has been charged.

Atlantic County prosecutors said 33-year-old Anthony Senatore is charged with endangering the welfare of children. Senatore, of Toms River, was arrested Monday.

The charges stem from the April 8 shooting death of 6-year-old Brandon Holt. Brandon was playing with Senatore's 4-year-old son, who found an unsecured .22-caliber rifle in Senatore's bedroom, prosecutors said.

Authorities said the 4-year-old boy fired one shot, hitting Brandon in the head. The boy was pronounced dead the next day.

Prosecutors say several other firearms and ammunition were found in Senatore's home and were accessible to his children, ages 12, 8 and 4.

Officials have not named the 4-year-old who was involved in the shooting.

Senatore was taken to the Ocean County Jail. The Associated Press reported this morning that he had been freed on $100,000 bail.

Atlantic County prosecutors are handling the case because relatives of the Senatore family work in law enforcement in Ocean County, NJ.com reported last month.