Prosecutor: Two Teens Charged in Pier Village Murder

Two teens, one an legal adult and the other a juvenile, have been charged with murder and related weapons charges in connection with the June 12 shooting death of an 18-year-old at Pier Village in Long Branch, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Monday.

The juvenile defendant, whose name is being withheld due to his age, is currently being held at a juvenile detention center and has been served with juvenile complaints that include: murder, conspiracy to commit unlawful possession of a weapon, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, possession of a prohibited weapon and hindering, in connection with the shooting death of 18-year-old Chrystofer A. Whyte of North Brunswick.

The adult, Dwayne Exilus, 18, of Woodbridge, was charged with: second-degree conspiracy to commit unlawful possession of a weapon (handgun), second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, third-degree hindering, and one count of fourth-degree possession of a prohibited weapon.

The case background …

On Thursday evening, June 12, at 8:58 p.m., Long Branch police responded to the beach area between the shoreline and the boardwalk of Pier Village on a report of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers discovered Whyte, the victim, suffering from a single gunshot wound.

Whyte was pronounced dead at the scene.

An investigation involving members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office – Major Crimes Bureau and the Long Branch Police Department is ongoing.

Anyone who may have information regarding this incident is urged to contact MCPO Detective Thomas Manzo at 800-533-7443 or Long Branch Police Detective Joseph Spitale at 732-222-1000 Ext 1339.

The Prosecutor’s Office and Long Branch Police Department extend their sincere thanks to the following agencies that assisted in the investigation including: the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, as well as the municipal police departments of Woodbridge, Linden and Metuchen.

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