By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Ocean County announced that on August 21, Eric Manzanares, 24, of Asbury Park, was indicted by a Grand Jury sitting in Ocean County.
Officials say on the charges of Murder, Attempted Murder, Aggravated Assault, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Possession of a High Capacity Ammunition Magazine and two counts of being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon, all in connection with the murder of Nymere Tinsley, 25, of Brick Township, which occurred in Toms River on August 27, 2022.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated that on August 27, 2022, at approximately 1:20 a.m., Officers from the Toms River Township Police Department responded to the Top Tier Hookah Lounge located at 1769 Hooper Avenue for a report of gunshots having been fired.
Responding Officers found three victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Nymere Tinsley suffered a gunshot wound to his lower abdomen and was pronounced deceased at the scene, officials said.
Officials say two other victims were transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for treatment of their injuries: Anthony Miller, 30, of Neptune Township, suffered a gunshot wound to the stomach, was treated for his injuries and released; Jamal Bland, 26, of Asbury Park, suffered a gunshot wound to his elbow, and was likewise treated and released.
According to officials, an extensive investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit determined that Manzanares was responsible for the shooting of all three victims.
Officials stated that on August 27, 2022, Manzanares was charged with Murder, Attempted Murder, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon.
A warrant for Manzanares’ arrest was issued on that date, and authorities say his name was entered in the National Crime Information Center database.
Officials said on April 7, 2023, Manzanares was apprehended by law enforcement in Prince William County, Virginia. Manzanares was lodged in the Prince William-Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center in Manassas, Virginia, and finally extradited to Ocean County on January 24, 2024.
He has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since that date, officials say.