Prosecutor: Two Arrested, Charged with Conspiracy, Attempted Murder in October Shootings

Two area men have been arrested and charged in connection with two October Long Branch shooting incidents that took place over the course of three days, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Thursday.

Steven L. Worsley Jr., 30, of Eatontown, and Ronald T. Gilliard, 30, of Long Branch, have both been charged with two counts of first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of first-degree attempted murder, and six second-degree weapons offenses.

Convictions on first-degree criminal charges of this nature are punishable by up to 20 years in state prison.

The case background …

Shortly before 2 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, Long Branch police responded to a report of three adult males receiving treatment at local hospitals, each having sustained injuries due to gunfire. Later that same day, officers responded to the 300 block of Waverly Place, where they recovered evidence that a shooting had taken place at that location, with a vehicle also having been struck by gunfire.

Then, shortly after 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct.10, 2022, Long Branch police responded to a report of shots being fired in the area of Rockwell Avenue and Halberton Place. There, officers recovered evidence that a second shooting had taken place, with a house having been struck by gunfire and no known shooting victims.

An investigation resulted in Worsley and Gilliard being identified as suspects in the case. They were apprehended separately without incident in Asbury Park and Neptune Township, respectively, on Tuesday, Feb. 14. Both were subsequently jailed in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) pending initial appearances and detention hearings to take place in Monmouth County Superior Court.

“The arrests and charges being announced today were the result of outstandingly well-coordinated and thorough investigative work by the MCPO Major Crimes, Gangs, and Forensic Bureaus; the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office; the Asbury Park, Long Branch, Neptune Township, and West Long Branch Police Departments; and other federal, state, and county agencies, which quickly came together to pool resources in order to address a sudden and troubling uptick in gun violence in the area.”
Prosecutor Santiago

Anyone with additional information about these incidents is asked to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Joshua Rios or Thomas Manzo at 800-533-7443, or Long Branch Police Department Detective Nicholas Romano at 732-222-1000, Ext. 2.

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 (available on iOS and Android – https://www.p3tips.com/1182); or by going to the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com.

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