Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on March 27, 2026, Gardin A. Guevara-Umanzor, 47, of Howell Township, was sentenced by the Honorable Kenneth T. Palmer, J.S.C., to seven years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) for Burglary in connection with an incident that occurred in Jackson Township on October 13, 2024. This sentence will be subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act (NERA), meaning that Guevara-Umanzor will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentence before he may be considered for parole eligibility. Additionally, Judge Palmer sentenced Guevara-Umanzor to five years NJSP for Unlawful Possession of a Weapon with a 42-month period of parole ineligibility, 18 months NJSP for Aggravated Assault, and four years NJSP as to each of two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, all in connection with the same incident. The sentences will run concurrently. On January 29, 2026, Guevara-Umanzor was found guilty of all charges following a four-week-long jury trial before Judge Palmer.
On October 13, 2024, at approximately 1:20 a.m., Officers of the Jackson Township Police Department responded to a residence on New Prospect Road in reference to a 911 call advising that Guevara-Umanzor had entered the residence and began firing a handgun. Responding Officers located multiple adults and two children who were present inside the residence at the time of the shooting. An investigation conducted by the Jackson Township Police Department Detective Bureau, New Jersey State Police, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, revealed that after Guevara-Umanzor fired the first of five shots into the residence, an occupant of the residence attempted to disarm him – resulting in them falling to the ground as Guevara-Umanzor continued to discharge the weapon. Other occupants also attempted to disarm Guevara-Umanzor. Guevara-Umanzor released the handgun and then fled the residence. Continuing investigation led to discovery of the weapon at the residence; Guevara-Umanzor was subsequently located and apprehended at the residence next door. Guevara-Umanzor was taken into custody without incident and thereafter transported to Ocean County Jail, where he has been detained since October 13, 2024.
Prosecutor Billhimer applauds the outstanding efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Victoria Veni and Assistant Prosecutor Emma Hurst who handled the case on behalf of the State. The Prosecutor likewise extends his gratitude to the Jackson Township Police Department, Jackson Township Police Department Detective Bureau, New Jersey State Police, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Trial Team Squad, for their collective and collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation.