By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Ocean County announced that Maxwell Johnson, 35, of Manchester Township, has been charged with Murder in connection with the shooting death of Gabriella Caroleo, 25, of Seaside Heights, in Manchester Township on June 27.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said Johnson was also charged with Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon, all arising out of the same incident.
Officials stated that on June 27, at approximately 4:55 p.m., officers from the Manchester Township Police Department responded to the area of Ridgeway Road and Hope Chapel Road in reference to a 911 call reporting a gunshot victim.
Responding Officers discovered Ms. Caroleo with a gunshot wound to her stomach, officials said.
According to officials, Ms. Caroleo was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where she succumbed to her injuries.
A thorough and extensive investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Manchester Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit has revealed that Johnson was the individual responsible for the death of Ms. Caroleo, officials say.
Authorities say Johnson has not yet been taken into custody and is considered a fugitive from justice.
As such, a warrant for his arrest has been issued, and officials stated that his name has been entered into the National Crime Information Center database.