El fiscal del condado de Ocean, Bradley D.. Billhimer anunció que en enero 29, 2026, Gardin A. Guevara-Umanzor, 47, del municipio de Howell, was found guilty of Burglary, Posesión de un arma para un fin ilícito, Posesión ilegal de un arma, Asalto agravado, y dos cargos de poner en peligro el bienestar de un niño, following a four-week-long jury trial before the Honorable Kenneth T. Palmero, JSC. Al emitir su veredicto, the jury concluded beyond a reasonable doubt that Guevara-Umanzor entered a residence in Jackson Township on October 13, 2024, pointed a handgun at one of the occupants, and discharged the weapon multiple times into the residence – which was occupied by numerous adults and two children. Guevara-Umanzor is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Palmer on March 27, 2026, momento en el que se enfrenta a 10 años Prisión Estatal de Nueva Jersey (NJSP) in connection with the Burglary offense – sujeto a los términos de la Ley de No Salida Temprana – y 10 years NJSP as to each of the Weapon offenses. Guevara-Umanzor likewise faces up to five years NJSP as to each of the Endangering offenses, and up to 18 months NJSP in connection with the Aggravated Assault offense.
En octubre 13, 2024, aproximadamente a 1:20 soy., 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, Policía Estatal de Nueva Jersey, y la Unidad de Investigación de la Escena del Crimen de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Ocean, 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 ably and skillfully tried the case on behalf of the State. El Fiscal también expresa su agradecimiento al Departamento de Policía de Jackson Township., Oficina de detectives del Departamento de Policía del municipio de Jackson, Policía Estatal de Nueva Jersey, Unidad de Investigación de la Escena del Crimen de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Ocean, and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Trial Team Squad, for their collective and collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation leading to today’s guilty verdict, and soon Guevara-Umanzor’s state prison sentence.