Two Best Friends Fatally Mowed Down by Accused Stalker in Cranford, NJ

Tragic E-Bike Incident

• 💔 Two best friends, Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, both 17, were fatally struck while riding an e-bike.
• 📍 The incident occurred on a quiet residential street in Cranford, New Jersey, as they were returning home from a school event.

Allegations of Deliberate Murder

• 🚗 Police accuse the 17-year-old driver of deliberately ramming into the girls, describing the act as a cold-blooded murder.
• 🎯 It is alleged that the suspect specifically targeted one of the victims because she had spurned his advances.

Stalking and Restraining Order

• 📱 One of the victims had reportedly complained repeatedly about the driver stalking her.
• ⚖️ The suspect was initially released by police who believed the incident was an accident, but was later arrested after learning of a restraining order against him for alleged stalking.

Suspect's Online Explanation

• 🎮 The minor suspect, whose face is not shown due to his age, allegedly attempted to explain the incident online via a gaming site.
• 🗣️ In a recorded statement, he claimed to be a nice kid and that the allegations were ruining everything.

Community Mourning and Official Response

• 🕯️ A memorial for the two girls has been growing, with a steady stream of distraught mourners.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The suspect is a relative of a neighboring town's police chief, who issued a statement condemning the accused's actions and demanding consequences in court.
• ⚖️ The accused killer faces two counts of first-degree murder.