Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on September 28, 2026, a juvenile delinquency complaint was filed against an individual charging two counts of Attempted Murder, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, all in connection with an incident that occurred in Toms River on January 12, 2022. The individual was a juvenile at the time of the incident.
On January 12, 2022, the New Jersey State Police responded to Community Medical Center in Toms River for a report that a male had sustained a gunshot wound to his leg while traveling on the Garden State Parkway. An investigation by the New Jersey State Police, 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 the victim was involved in a verbal altercation with another individual at the Exxon Mobile service station located on the corner of Route 37 and Commonwealth Boulevard. Upon leaving the service station, the victim traveled southbound on the Garden State Parkway while being followed from the service station by a Dodge Charger. As the victim was traveling on the Parkway, the driver of the Dodge Charger fired multiple gunshots at the victim’s vehicle – with one of them striking him in the leg. A passenger in the victim’s vehicle drove the victim to Community Medical Center; he was ultimately transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick where he was treated for his injuries and subsequently released.
This matter has remained under investigation by law enforcement since January 12, 2022. Continuing investigation since that date has led to the identification of the subject individual as the driver of the Dodge Charger who fired at the victim’s vehicle. This individual is currently in custody on an unrelated matter.
N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-60 precludes the release of additional information regarding juveniles charged with acts of delinquency.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad, New Jersey State Police, Toms River Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this 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).