Two men and a juvenile are charged with attempted murder and other offenses following an exchange of gunfire in Neptune, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said.

No one was injured in the incident that occurred on Monday at about 4:43 p.m. in the 300 Blok of Myrtle Avenue in Neptune Township.

Corey Gibson, 30, of Tinton Falls, and Xavier Harbison, 18, of Neptune Township, are each charged with first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, first-degree attempted murder. Gibson is also charged with first-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, second-degree possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose, and second-degree certain persons not to possess weapons. Harbison is facing additional charges of second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.

If convicted of any of the first-degree crimes, Gibson and Harbison each faces a sentence of up to 20 years in a New Jersey state prison, subject to the provisions of the No Early Release Act (NERA), requiring each of them to serve 85 percent of the sentence imposed before becoming eligible for release on parole. Both men would also be under parole supervision for five years following their respective releases from state prison.

If convicted of possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose, each man faces a maximum potential sentence state prison term of 10 years, and pursuant to the Graves Act, there is a mandatory period of parole ineligibility of one half of the custodial sentence imposed, or 42 months, whichever is greater. 

If convicted of unlawful possession of a weapon, Gibson faces up to 20 years in state prison, which is also subject to the Graves Act mandatory period of parole ineligibility of one half of the custodial sentence imposed. If convicted of certain persons not to possess weapons, Gibson faces up to 10 years in state prison with a five-year mandatory period of parole ineligibility. Harbison faces up to 10 years in state prison, if convicted of unlawful possession of a weapon, which is also subject to the Graves Act mandatory period of parole ineligibility of one half of the custodial sentence imposed.  

The juvenile, a 15-year-old Neptune City male, was arrested Monday evening and charged with two counts of attempted murder, possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a handgun, and hindering apprehension. He was lodged in the Middlesex Youth Detention Center in North Brunswick. He is currently detained pending a hearing scheduled in family court.  

The case background …

Neptune Township police responded to multiple 911 calls reporting shots fired in the 300 block of Myrtle Avenue in the township. A joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and Neptune Township police discovered evidence of multiple weapons being fired in that area and later determined there was an exchange of gunfire with Gibson and Harbison and the juvenile firing at each.

The investigation progressed and led detectives to a house on Myrtle Avenue and eventually to another home in the 100 block of Ridge Avenue in Asbury Park. The investigation culminated with the arrests of the three individuals charged.

Anyone with any additional information about this incident is urged to call Detective Patrick Petruzziello, of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, at 1-800-533-7443 or Detective Kaan Williams, of the Neptune Township Police Department, at 732-988-5200. 

Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about a crime can contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers confidential telephone tip-line by calling 1-800-671-4400; can text “MONMOUTH” plus their tip to 274637; or, they can email a tip via the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com. Monmouth County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of criminals and fugitives.

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