Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on January 12, Jahvontae Debose, 25, of Lakewood, was indicted by a Grand Jury sitting in Ocean County on the charge of Murder, in connection with the shooting death of Dajour Randolph in Lakewood Township on February 21, 2021.
Authorities say Debose was also indicted on charges of Possession of a Firearm for an Unlawful Purpose; Being a Certain Person not to Possess a Firearm; Possession of a Firearm in the Course of Committing a Drug Offense; Possession of a Defaced Firearm; Possession of Hollow Nose Ammunition; Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute; and Possession of Tetrahydrocannabinol with Intent to Distribute.
According to county authorities, on February 21, 2021, at approximately 7:40 p.m., Lakewood Township Police were summoned to the area of Tudor Court in response to a 911 call regarding a male who had collapsed in the middle of the road.
Officials say responding officers found Dajour Randolph, 20, of Little Egg Harbor, with an apparent gunshot wound to the chest.
Mr. Randolph was transported to Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus, in Lakewood, where he subsequently succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased, officials say.
According to authorities, on February 22, 2021, the Ocean County Medical Examiner performed a post-mortem examination of Mr. Randolph’s body.
Authorities say the Medical Examiner determined the cause of Mr. Randolph’s death to be multiple gunshot wounds and ruled the manner of death to be homicide.
County officials say Debose was initially charged on February 23, 2021 with weapons and narcotics offenses.
He was taken into custody without incident by Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force in Pleasantville, following a motor vehicle stop on that date, officials say.
Officials say Debose was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has been lodged since the date of his arrest.
Authorities say that an extensive investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department, Lakewood Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, between February 21, 2021 and February 25, 2021, revealed that Debose was, in fact, the individual responsible for Mr. Randolph’s death.
County officials state that Dubose was served on February 25, 2021, in the Ocean County Jail with a complaint charging him with the murder of Mr. Randolph.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.