Teen Juvenile Charged In Shooting Death Of Asbury Park Man

ASBURY PARK, NJ — A 16-year-old youth has been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old last Friday, July 8, in the city, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

The youth, a male whose identity is being withheld due to his age, has had juvenile complaints of murder and two related weapons offenses filed against him, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey announced Thursday. The juvenile's town of residence is also not disclosed.

He was taken into custody without incident Tuesday evening and remains in custody at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold pending his next court appearance, the prosecutor's office said.

Authorities recounted the events of July 8 when shortly after 5:45 p.m. that day members of the Asbury Park Police Department responded to a report of gunfire at the 100 block of Prospect Avenue, near the intersection with Atlantic Avenue.

When officers reached the scene, they encountered 19-year-old Dariel Vernet of Asbury Park, who had sustained multiple gunshot injuries, the prosecutor's office said.

He was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune where he was pronounced dead approximately one hour later. An autopsy performed Sunday determined that the manner of death was homicide, authorities said.

The investigation into Vernet’s death was led by members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office’s Major Crimes Bureau and the Asbury Park Police Department.

Anyone with information about this matter is urged to contact Det. Christopher Guy of the prosecutor's office at 800-533-7443 or Asbury Park Police Department Det. Anthony Troublefield at 732-774-1300. This case has been assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Caitlin J. Sidley. No information was released at this time regarding the legal representation for the youth.

Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about this or any crime can submit a tip to the Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling its confidential telephone tipline at 1-800-671-4400, by downloading and using the free P3 Tips mobile app (available on iOS and Android), by calling 800-671-4400, or by going to the website.