By: Richard L. Smith
Ocean County officials announced that Tyshaun Drummond, 42, of Toms River, has been found guilty of two counts of murder in connection with the 2021 deaths of Nicholas Hardy, 36, of Toms River, and Sergio Chavez-Perez, 32, of Lakewood.
The verdict was reached on October 22, 2024, following a nearly month-long jury trial before the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, P.J.Cr.P.
The jury concluded beyond a reasonable doubt that Drummond purposely or knowingly caused the deaths of Hardy and Chavez-Perez in the early morning hours of December 19, 2021, in Lakewood Township.
In addition to the murder charges, Drummond was found guilty of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, and burglary.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated that Drummond is scheduled to be sentenced on December 13, 2024, where he faces a potential life sentence.
The incident took place on December 19, 2021, when Lakewood Township police responded to a report of gunshots at an apartment complex on River Avenue around 7:20 a.m.
Officers were provided a description of the suspect, later identified as Drummond, and located him in front of the complex.
After refusing to comply with orders, Drummond was subdued with a Conducted Energy Device (CED) and taken into custody.