FREEHOLD –A 16-year-old juvenile is in custody following a shots fired incident on the boardwalk in Asbury Park last night leaving two people injured, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
Officials say one of the victims, a 55-year-old female and an employee of a nearby business on the boardwalk sustained a non-life-threatening wound and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
A second victim, a 25-year-old female who walking along the boardwalk at the time of the shooting incident, sustained a minor wound and refused treatment at the scene.
According to police, the shooting occurred about 9:58 p.m. on the Asbury Park boardwalk in the area of 1st and Ocean avenues where two people were injured as a result of gunfire on the boardwalk. Manalapan Township Police Officer Kyle Williams was on scene working a security detail for the fireworks display at the time of the incident and arrested the juvenile who was in possession of a loaded handgun in the area.
The arrested juvenile is not charged, at this time, with causing these injuries – only with possessing this handgun. A ballistic analysis is pending.
The juvenile, a male from Asbury Park, is currently facing a charge of second degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun.
Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about a crime can contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers confidential telephone tip-line by calling 1-800-671-4400; can text “MONMOUTH” plus their tip to 274637; or, they can email a tip via the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com.
Monmouth County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of criminals and fugitives.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.
The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Christopher J. Decker, Director of the Office’s Major Crimes Bureau.