A Monmouth County grand jury has returned a 16-count indictment against the two area men charged with a February shooting murder of a 21-year-old, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Wednesday.

Eddy Vilus, 30, and Quamere M. Smith, 31, have each been charged with: first-degree murder, second-degree conspiracy to commit murder, second-degree conspiracy to commit aggravated arson, two second-degree weapons offenses, two counts of third-degree hindering apprehension, and third-degree theft in connection with the death of 21-year-old God Allah, also of Asbury Park. Vilus has also been charged with third-degree receiving stolen property and a second- and fourth-degree weapons offense. Smith has also been charged with a second-degree weapons offense and two third-degree drug offenses.

The case background …

At approximately 2:15 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 2, Asbury Park police responded to the area of Ridge and Springwood avenues on a report of gunfire. At that location the officers located Allah, who had sustained a gunshot wound. He was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased shortly before 2:45 p.m.

An investigation involving members of the MCPO Major Crimes Bureau and the Asbury Park Police Department resulted in the identification of Vilus and Smith as the men responsible for the shooting.

Charges related to Allah’s death were filed against the pair on Friday, Feb. 10. Vilus was found and arrested without incident during a traffic stop in Asbury Park later that same day, when he was found to be in possession of a loaded handgun. Smith was served his charges while already in custody at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) on separate charges.

In addition to the charges of murder and weapons offenses arising from the killing of Allah, Smith and Vilus were indicted for conspiracy to commit aggravated arson and hindering apprehension related to the destruction of evidence in the case, as well as theft related to the theft of a vehicle used to commit the murder.

Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact MCPO Detective Stephen Cavendish at 800-533-7443 or Asbury Park Police Department Detective James Crawford at 732-774-1300.

Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about this or any crime can submit a tip to Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling their confidential telephone tip-line at 1-800-671-4400; by downloading and using the free P3 Tips mobile app, by calling 800-671-4400, or by going to the Crime Stoppers website.

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

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