Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on April 24, 2026, Eric Manzanares, 26, of Asbury Park, was sentenced by the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, P.J.Cr.P., to twenty years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) relative to his previously entered guilty plea to Aggravated Manslaughter in connection with an incident that occurred in Toms River on August 27, 2022. Additionally Judge Ryan sentenced Manzanares to seven years NJSP relative to his previously entered guilty pleas to each of two counts of Aggravated Assault in connection with the same incident. All of the sentences will be subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act (NERA), meaning that Manzanares will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentences before he may be considered for parole eligibility. The sentences will run concurrently. Manzanares pled guilty to all charges before Judge Ryan on February 27, 2026.
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 handled 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.