First pictures of New Jersey family 'murdered by teenager' on New Year's Eve

Friends pay tribute to 'beautiful people with the kindest hearts you could imagine'

A 16-year-old boy gunned down his parents and a family friend minutes before the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve, authorities in New Jersey said.

His father Steven Kologi, 44, mother Linda Kologi, 42, sister, Brittany Kologi, 18, all "appear" to have been killed with a semi-automatic rifle, the Monmouth Country Prosecutor said in a statement. Mary Schultz, 70, was also shot dead.

The 16-year-old, who has not been named, has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

18-year-old Brittany Kologi (Facebook)

The suspect's brother and a grandfather were safe following the shooting, the prosecutor said, adding that the teenager was taken into custody without incident,

Over $18,000 (£13,300) had been raised at the time of publication, to pay for the funeral costs for the family.

Brian Yunker, who described himself as a “close family friend” set up the GoFundMe page.

“Linda, Steven, and Brittany were all beautiful people with the kindest hearts you could imagine,” he wrote.

Linda and Steven Kologi were killed on New Year’s Eve (Facebook)

Dave Famer, 49, a friend of Mr Kologi who played on a softball team with him, told the Asbury Park Press: “In all the years I’ve known him I cannot say a negative thing about him. He always talked about his family, every conversation me and him had.”

Police attended reports of shooting at the family home in Long Branch, a seaside town in New Jersey, around twenty minutes before midnight.

The investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and Long Branch Police Department continues.

The prosecutor said the teen would be charged with four counts of murder and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and could be tried as an adult.