NJ Couple Narrowly Escaped Armed Man Who Drove 8 Hours from Maine to Confront Them

A New Jersey couple narrowly escaped after an armed man drove eight hours from Maine to confront his ex-girlfriend's family, pulling up to the South Toms River home just as her parents were leaving, court documents show.

Brian J. Lanzim, 37, a former Toms River resident, was shot by South Toms River Police Sgt. Muhammed Ali after ignoring commands to stop, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in the April 29 incident on Dover Road.

Lanzim had arrived armed with a Glock 17, a rifle, a bulletproof vest, and more than 600 rounds of ammunition, including 22 extended magazines, the affidavit said. He had threatened to kill the woman's father and made references to a previous altercation.

When Lanzim's ex-girlfriend told him she was breaking up with him during a FaceTime call, she could hear what she believed was a gun being loaded. She said she would contact police; Lanzim allegedly threatened to "blow her brains out" if she did. He drove south from Maine while police rushed to warn the family.

The parents had just gotten into their car to flee when Sgt. Ali spotted Lanzim's Toyota 4Runner approaching. A confrontation followed and Lanzim was shot. Charges are allegations; Lanzim is presumed innocent.