Prosecutor: Teens Face Murder, Gang Criminality Charges in 2023 Shooting

An adult male and a juvenile, both teens, have been charged in connection with a July 2023 shooting that left one man dead and two others injured, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Thursday.

The legal adult, Michael Sally, 19, of Long Branch, was charged with the first-degree crimes of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder and gang criminality; the second-degree crimes of aggravated assault (two counts), unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose; as well as the third-degree crime of receiving stolen property.

The juvenile defendant, whose identity is being withheld due to his age, had juvenile complaints filed against him that correspond with the charges filed against Sally.

The case background …

Shortly after 10:30 p.m. on Monday, July 3, 2023, Asbury Park police were dispatched to the Asbury Park Gardens apartment complex on Atlantic Avenue on a report of a shooting. Upon arrival at the scene, officers found the three victims, all adult males, who had sustained injuries.

The three victims were rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where two were treated for their injuries and released. The third victim, Lativity Lyons, 21, of Asbury Park, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 10:50 p.m. A fourth victim, the intended target of the shooting, was uninjured.

The investigation into Lyons’ death, led by members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Bureau and the Asbury Park Police Department, resulted in Sally and the juvenile being identified as the individuals allegedly responsible.

Sally was found and apprehended on Wednesday, June 5, in Long Branch by members of the Prosecutor’s Office, the Asbury Park Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force. The juvenile was being held at a juvenile detention center on unrelated juvenile complaints.

Convictions on charges of this nature can be punishable by terms of up to life in state prison, except that the juvenile, if tried as an adult and convicted of murder, would be entitled to a parole review after serving twenty years in state prison.

Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact MCPO Detective Brian Migliorisi at 800-533-7443 or Asbury Park Police Detective Robert Champouillon at 732-774-1300.

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; by downloading and using the free P3 Tips mobile app (available on iOS and Android — https://www.p3tips.com/1182); by calling 800-671-4400; or by going to the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com.

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