Crime, Regional Interest

Prosecutor: Teens Charged with Conspiracy, Attempted Murder & Related Charges in Tuesday Shooting

The two teen men suspects who were taken into custody in connection with a Tuesdsay night shooting in Asbury Park have been arrested and charged in the incident, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced on Thursday.

An investigation led to the apprehension of Zyier Small, 18, of Neptune, and Malik Carey, 19, of Neptune City, who were found near the scene of the crime.

Small and Carey were taken into custody and arrested and charged with first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, first-degree attempted murder, second-degree possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose, second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, third-degree hindering apprehension, fourth-degree obstruction, and fourth-degree possession of a large capacity magazine.

The incident …

At 10:32 p.m. on June 2, the Asbury Park Police Department responded to shots fired in the area of 2 Atkins Avenue in Asbury Park — the Asbury Park Village housing complex. Upon arrival, officers found a 19-year-old male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. EMS transported the victim to a local hospital, where he remains in critical, but stable condition.

Both defendants are being held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) in Freehold Township pending individual detention hearings scheduled for June 10, 2020 before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Paul X. Escandon, J.S.C..

If convicted of conspiracy or attempted murder, Small and Carey face sentences of up to 20 years in a New Jersey state prison without parole, subject to the provisions of the No Early Release Act (NERA), requiring them to serve 85 percent of the sentence imposed before becoming eligible for release on parole. They would also be under parole supervision for five years following their release from state prison.

If convicted of possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose or unlawful possession of a handgun, each individual faces a sentence of five to 10 years in prison subject to the provisions of the Graves Act, requiring them to serve a mandatory 42 months in state prison before becoming eligible for release on parole.

If convicted of hindering apprehension, each man faces three to five years in prison. If convicted of either of the fourth-degree crimes, each man faces up to 18 months in prison.

Anyone with information about this case is urged to call Detective Patrick Petruzziello of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 1-800-533-7443 or Detective Dillon Gourley of the Asbury Park Police Department at 732-774-1300.

Sponsor R-FH Retro