Jury Finds Man Guilty In 2023 Asbury Park Fatal Shooting

ASBURY PARK, NJ — An Asbury Park man was convicted at trial for a fatal shooting that took place in that town in February 2023, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced Tuesday.

A jury found Eddy Vilus, 33, guilty of first-degree murder, first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of hindering his own apprehension, theft and receiving stolen property and multiple illegal gun charges.

This was the murder of God Allah, 21. At 2:15 p.m. February 2, 2023, Asbury Park Police responded to the area of Ridge and Springwood avenues for a report of gunfire. There they found Allah who had sustained a gunshot wound. He was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where he died shortly before 2:45 p.m.

Vilus and Quamere M. Smith, 34, also of Asbury Park, were identified as suspects. Vilus, specifically, was identified as the person responsible for the shooting, said the prosecutor.

Vilus was located and arrested without incident during a traffic stop in Asbury Park seven days after the shooting, when he was found to be in possession of a loaded handgun.

Smith was served his charges while already in custody at the Monmouth County jail. Smith pled guilty to first-degree Murder and first-degree Conspiracy to Commit Murder in October.

The state will ask that Vilus serve life in prison for the sentencing. The state intends to seek a term for Smith of up to 30 years in state prison.