Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that February 23, 2025, Richard Rokicki, 58, of Whiting, was charged with being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon, Possession of Stolen Property, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, and Hindering his own Apprehension, all in connection with an incident that occurred in Whiting on February 23, 2025.
On February 23, 2025, at approximately 2:40 a.m., Officers from the Manchester Township Police Department responded to a residence in Whiting for a report of a male having sustained a gunshot wound. Responding Officers found the male, later identified as Rokicki, with a gunshot wound to his leg. Rokicki was transported to Jersey Shore University Hospital in Neptune for treatment of his injuries.
During an initial investigation into the incident by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and Manchester Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Rokicki advised Detectives that while a friend was visiting his home, he (Rokicki) asked the friend if he could hold his firearm. Rokicki told Detectives that he then accidently shot himself in the leg, at which time his friend collected the weapon and left the residence. Rokicki gave Detectives a description of his friend and the type of vehicle he was driving.
Detectives subsequently executed a court-authorized search warrant on the residence. As a result, Detectives seized a handgun that been reported stolen in North Carolina, as well as a spent shell casing. Further investigation revealed that Rokicki had fabricated the story about the friend at his home, and that Rokicki alone was in possession of the stolen handgun. It was further determined that Rokicki had, indeed, accidently shot himself with the weapon.
After Rokicki was treated for his injuries and released from Jersey Shore University Medical Center, he returned to his residence and was taken into custody without incident. Rokicki was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Manchester Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Manchester Township Police Department Patrol Division, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their combined and collective 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).