Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on June 1, 2026, Anthony Zigarelli, 21, of Manchester Township, pled guilty to Aggravated Assault and being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon before the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, P.J.Cr.P., relative to an incident that occurred in Toms River Township on May 14, 2024. Additionally, Anthony Ventrice, 19, of Toms River, pled guilty before Judge Ryan to Aggravated Assault in connection with the same incident. At the time of Zigarelli’s sentencing on August 14, 2026, the State will be seeking a term of 10 years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) as to the Aggravated Assault charge – subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act (NERA) – and five years NJSP, with a five-year period of parole eligibility, as to the Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon offense. The sentences are to run concurrently. At the time of Ventrice’s sentencing, also scheduled for August 14, 2026, the State will be seeking a term of seven years NJSP subject to the terms of NERA.
On May 14, 2024, at approximately 4:05 p.m., Officers from the Toms River Township Police Department responded to the area of Camino Medio and Camino Verde in response to multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots fired. An investigation by responding Officers revealed that a male victim was riding his bicycle through the area while two individuals – subsequently identified as Zigarelli and Ventrice – were standing outside a vehicle in the same area at that time. As the victim rode past the defendants, Ventrice produced a handgun and fired multiple gunshots in the victim’s direction. Zigarelli and Ventrice then entered the vehicle and drove past the victim – with Zigarelli firing additional shots at him. None of the shots struck the victim, and he was uninjured in the attack.
On May 15, 2024, Ventrice – who was a juvenile at the time of the incident – was charged with Attempted Murder, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose, on a Juvenile Complaint-Warrant. On May 22, 2024, Ventrice was taken into custody by Officers from the Lakewood Township Police Department and transported to the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center. The Juvenile Court’s jurisdiction over Ventrice was ultimately waived, and his case was referred to adult Criminal Court. On May 30, 2025, Ventrice was transported from the Juvenile Detention Center to the Ocean County Jail, where he has remained since that date.
On May 28, 2024, Zigarelli was charged with Attempted Murder, being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. Zigarelli was taken into custody on May 29, 2024 by Officers from the Toms River Police Department. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail where he has been detained since that date.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends Assistant Prosecutor Emma Hurst who is handling these matters on behalf of the State and acknowledges the Toms River Township Police Department, Lakewood Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collaborative assistance in this 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).