Man Found Dead In Car On Thanksgiving Eve In Asbury Park

A person was shot and killed late Wednesday night at the Jersey Shore - near the site of a football game that was canceled because of threats, authorities said.

Detectives are looking for the killer of the 27-year-old Asbury Park man who was found dead inside a vehicle in the 100 block of Prospect Avenue in Asbury Park, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

The fatal shooting happened around 11 p.m., less than a mile away from what was to be the site of the Asbury Park and Neptune football game, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

Asbury Park Police responded to the area along Prospect Avenue to find Denzel Morgan-Hicks deceased and seated in the driver’s seat of a 2017 Ford Expedition, according to the MCPO.

The man was taken to the Middlesex County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office where an autopsy will be completed to determine the cause and manner of death.

It's not immediately known if the shooting and the game threats are connected, authorities said.

The 90th annual Thanksgiving Day football classic between Asbury Park and Neptune high schools had been postponed, according to the school district's website. The game was postponed "due to unforeseen circumstances," and will be held at a later mutually agreeable date, the website states.

"We want to give the kids an opportunity to have the game, but safety comes first,'' Asbury Schools Superintendent Lamont Repollet said.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Detective John Leibfried of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 1-800-533-7443 or Detective Dillan Gourley of the Asbury Park Police Department at 732-775-2936.

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.

Patch file photo