A fugitive who was sought in connection with a 2024 shooting murder has been found in Georgia and arrested, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Friday.

Raheem D. Montes, 25, of Long Branch, the alleged shooter in a 2024 Long Branch murder, was arrested in Clayton County, GA by local authorities.

At approximately 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, members of the MCPO Major Crimes Bureau and the Long Branch Police Department responded to the area of Brighton Avenue between Ocean Boulevard and Second Avenue for a report of a shooting.

There, they found a 31-year-old male resident of Long Branch who had been struck by gunfire.

The man, identified as Elijah Buffaloe, also of Long Branch, was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

The investigation identified Montes as the initial shooter. Moments after the shooting, gunfire was exchanged between other people, resulting in a second person, a 32-year-old male resident of Brick Township (Ocean County), being injured. That man transported himself to a local hospital for treatment and was later released.

The investigation resulted in Montes being charged with first-degree murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon (firearm), and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.  

Montes remains in custody in Georgia awaiting extradition, pending proceedings to be held in Monmouth County Superior Court.

Anyone with information about this matter is being asked to contact MCPO Detective Josh Rios at 800-533-7443 or Long Branch Police Department Detective Joe Pannullo at 732-222-1000.

— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office

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