Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on February 27, 2026, Eric Manzanares, 26, of Asbury Park, pled guilty to one count of Aggravated Manslaughter and two counts of Aggravated Assault before the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, P.J.Cr.P., in connection with an incident that occurred in Toms River on August 27, 2022. At the time of his sentencing on April 24, 2026, the State will be seeking a term of 23 years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) as to the Aggravated Manslaughter charge and 10 years NJSP as to each of the Aggravated Assault charges. The sentences will be subject to the No Early Release Act and are to run concurrently.
On August 27, 2022, at approximately 1:20 a.m., Officers from 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. He was transported to Community Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased a short time later. 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.
A thorough and 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, revealed that Manzanares was responsible for shooting all three victims. On August 27, 2022, Manzanares was initially 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 his name was entered into the National Crime Information Center database.
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.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Jamie Schron and Senior Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke who are handling the case on behalf of the State, and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Department, Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Asbury Park Police Department, United States Marshals Service, and Prince William County (Virginia) Police Department, for their combined and collective efforts in connection with this investigation.