By: Najla Alexander
Two local men were arrested earlier this week and criminally charged with a pair of shooting incidents that took place over three days in Long Branch last fall, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago reported Thursday.
According to authorities, Steven L. Worsley Jr., 30, of Eatontown, and Ronald T. Gilliard, 30, of Long Branch, are both charged with two counts of first-degree Conspiracy to Commit Murder, two counts of first-degree Attempted Murder, and six second-degree weapons offenses.
Shortly before 2 a.m. on Saturday, October 8, Long Branch Police responded to a report of three adult males receiving treatment at local hospitals, each having sustained injuries due to gunfire, according to Monmouth County officials.
Later that same day, officials say, officers responded to the 300 block of Waverly Place, where they recovered evidence that a shooting had taken place at that location, with a vehicle also struck by gunfire.
Then, shortly after 2:30 p.m. on Monday, October 10, officers responded to a report of shots being fired in the area of Rockwell Avenue and Halberton Place, authorities say.
At that location, officers recovered evidence that a second shooting had occurred, with a house struck by gunfire and no known shooting victims.
According to officials, an investigation resulted in Worsley and Gilliard being identified as suspects in the case.
They were apprehended separately without incident in Asbury Park and Neptune Township, respectively, on Tuesday, February 14.
Both defendants were subsequently lodged in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) pending first appearances and detention hearings to take place in Monmouth County Superior Court officials said.