Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on June 16, 2021, Shadrach Correa, 19, Daivon Sullivan, 19, and Leyron Jones, 24, all of Toms River, were indicted by a Grand Jury sitting in Ocean County on the charge of Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1), in connection with the shooting death of Javon Cutler which occurred in Toms River on October 11, 2020. The three defendants were also each indicted on two counts of Attempted Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1 and N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1); Conspiracy to Commit Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 and N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1); Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4a; and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5b. Correa was also indicted on separate count of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5b, in connection with an unrelated incident that occurred on October 23, 2020.
| Correa |
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, revealed that on October 11, 2020, at approximately 8:15 p.m., Javon Cutler, 19, of Bayville, and two friends were attempting to leave Toms River Apartments, located on Main Street in Toms River, when an unknown individual opened fire on their vehicle. Mr. Cutler, who was seated in the rear passenger seat, was struck in the head as a result. The driver of the vehicle drove directly to Community Medical Center to seek medical treatment for Mr. Cutler. Mr. Cutler was subsequently transported to Jersey Shore Medical Center, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries on October 14, 2020. A post-mortem examination was performed by the Ocean County Medical Examiner on October 15, 2020. The Medical Examiner determined the cause of Mr. Cutler’s death to be intermediate distance gunshot wound to the head, and the manner of death to be homicide.
| Sullivan |
After a very thorough and comprehensive investigation that spanned the course of nearly three weeks, it was determined that Correa, Sullivan and Jones acted together and in support of one another in carrying out the shooting of Javon Cutler. All three defendants were charged in connection with Mr. Cutler’s murder on October 28, 2020. Correa had already been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since October 23, 2020 relative to the unrelated weapon charge; Sullivan and Jones were apprehended on October 29, 2020. All three men have been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since they were taken into custody.
| Jones |
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Robert Cassidy who is handling the case on behalf of the State, as well as the following agencies for their collaborative efforts in connection with this wide-ranging investigation which ultimately resulted in the apprehension of these defendants, as well as today’s indictment: Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit; Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force; Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit; Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Regional SWAT Team; Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Victim Witness Advocacy Unit; Toms River Township Police Department; Toms River Township Police Detective Bureau; Toms River Township Police Department Emergency Services Unit; Toms River Township Special Enforcement Team; Manchester Township Police Department; Barnegat Township Police Department; Berkeley Township Police Department; Seaside Heights Police Department; Brick Township Police Department; Lakewood Township Police Department; Jackson Township Police Department; South Toms River Police Department; Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit; New Jersey State Police; Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office; Ocean County Department of Corrections; New Jersey State Department of Corrections; New Jersey State Police; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).