Crime, Regional Interest

Prosecutor: 22-Year-Old Man Arrested for Attempted Murder in Shooting

A 22-year-old area man is facing up to 30 years in prison if convicted for his alleged role in a shooting that took place in the parking lot of a local store, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced on Thursday.

Mark Ruffin Jr., of Neptune Township, has been arrested and charged with: one count of first-degree attempted murder, one count of second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and one count of second-degree unlawful possession of weapon.

The case background …

On May 5, at 1:09 p.m., Neptune Township police responded to 3755 Route 66 for reports of shots fired. Upon arrival officers found one male victim suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was taken to a local hospital for the non-life threatening gunshot injury. A joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Neptune Township police subsequently revealed that Mark Ruffin Jr. was allegedly responsible for shooting the victim.

If convicted of attempted murder, Ruffin Jr. faces up to 20 years in a New Jersey state prison, subject to the provisions of the No Early Release Act (NERA), requiring him to serve 85 percent of the sentence imposed before becoming eligible for release on parole. He would also be under parole supervision for five years following his release from state prison.

If convicted of the weapons offenses, Ruffin Jr. faces up to 10 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum parole ineligibility of 42 months, pursuant to the Graves Act.

Anyone with information about this case is urged to call Detective Daniel Newman of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 1-800-533-7443 or Neptune Township Police Detective Bryan Taylor 732-988-8000 x420.

Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about a crime can submit a tip to Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling their confidential telephone tip-line at 1-800-671-4400; or by downloading and using the free P3 Tips mobile app (available for iOS and Android @ https://www.p3tips.com/community/index.htm).