A former firefighter drove for eight hours across eight states with a stash of weapons on a murderous quest to kill his ex-girlfriend and her entire family, police said.
The Alleged Plot
Brian Lanzim, 37, allegedly took the 500-mile drive from Maine to New Jersey armed with two guns and a bulletproof vest last month after the mother of his two children ended their relationship over FaceTime, according to the Asbury Park Press. She said she heard the 'click of a gun' during the call and warned him she would go to authorities. He allegedly dismissed the threat, saying, 'No, you're not. You wouldn't do that to me.'
As she rushed to secure a temporary restraining order against him, Lanzim allegedly sent a series of unsettling text messages after his repeated calls went unanswered. In one, the ex-fireman wrote: 'If you stand between me and my kids, I'm going to do what I need to do,' according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by the outlet. Another allegedly read, 'If your father is there, I'm going to have to take him out.'
The Incident
Lanzim was non-fatally shot by police after allegedly driving his SUV toward officers and attempting to break into his ex-girlfriend's parents' home, where the intended targets had already fled. He was later jailed on charges including attempted murder, home invasion burglary, terroristic threats, weapons offenses and 22 counts related to large-capacity ammunition magazines.
'He was ready for war,' Assistant Prosecutor Mara Brater said during the hearing, according to The Independent. 'He armed himself with two firearms. He armed himself with a bulletproof vest. He had 15 large capacity magazines in his trunk.'
Chilling Details
The chilling scheme allegedly began on April 29, when Lanzim was dumped by his ex-girlfriend, who remains unnamed, and learned she had obtained a protective order against him. She dropped her children at a friend's house and went to the police station after the call, where authorities 'pinged' Lanzim's phone and saw he was traveling south on the Garden State Parkway.
Police also learned that Lanzim, who had recently moved to Maine, was on the phone with a mutual acquaintance, during which he allegedly confirmed he was 'armed, dangerous,' and making the journey to South Toms River. Officers arrived at the home of the woman's parents and then told them to leave, the affidavit said.
Confrontation with Police
As the cops left, Lanzim's vehicle drove past them and headed straight toward the house, the outlet reported. Body-worn camera footage captured just after 9.40pm shows an officer running to the side of the house and taking cover behind a fence as the sound of an engine revving grew louder, court records state. Lanzim allegedly floored his Toyota 4Runner across the lawn in an attempt to run over the officers before getting out of the car and trying to break into his ex-girlfriend's family home.
In the footage, the officer is heard screaming, 'Brian, Brian, put it down,' before Lanzim allegedly replied, 'no,' according to court documents. Five shots then rang out, bringing the former first responder to the ground and allowing officers to kick the gun away from him. Each shot came from Ali's gun. The father-of-two could be heard screaming, 'I f***ing lost her, man. Tell her and the boys I love them,' as law enforcement requested backup.
Weapons Found
A stash of weapons was allegedly found with him after the shooting, including a loaded Glock 17 handgun, and a folding pocket knife. In his car, police also found a loaded rifle and large-capacity ammunition magazines, according to a news release from Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D Billhimer.
Detectives launched an investigation and found that Lanzim told his ex-girlfriend in September he was moving to Maine for new job opportunities after losing his job with Brinks Security in March, the Asbury Park Press reported. The woman revealed that ever since being terminated, Lanzim was 'spiraling out of control,' according to the affidavit.
Prior Tensions
She told investigators there had been prior tension between her ex-boyfriend and her father, citing a 2024 incident involving a fire at her house, according to court records. During the incident, Lanzim allegedly made a remark about the woman's father, saying he would have him 'rendered pulseless in the driveway.' Meanwhile, the mutual acquaintance Lanzim called while on his way to carry out the plan allegedly described him as an 'unpredictable rollercoaster.'
Court Proceedings
On Friday, a detention hearing took place in which prosecutors argued he intended to kill his ex's family to gain full custody of his children, while his defense argued he was attempting 'suicide by cops.' Marissa Koerner, Lanzim's lawyer, argued that his alleged outburst stemmed from a mental breakdown triggered by the breakup, alleging he is bipolar and in ongoing treatment. 'He loves his family,' she told the court. Koerner pointed to his bulletproof vest, saying he was trying to 'force a kill shot to the head' during an anticipated exchange of gunfire with police.
Assistant Prosecutor Mara Brater said the intended targets begged him not to proceed and alleged the former EMT has a history of violence. She spoke of an instance when Lanzim allegedly pulled a gun out on his ex-girlfriend and declared, 'If I can't have you, no one can.' The prosecutor said the incident is under investigation by the Major Crimes and Professional Standards units of the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.
The judge ordered that Lanzim remain in custody pending trial, according to court records. He is due back in court on May 18.
