FREEHOLD BOROUGH, NJ — A man was shot in the face while being chased through the Freehold Borough Public Library last week, according to court documents filed in the case.
The man, whose identity has not been released, is stable but remains hospitalized at Jersey Shore University Medical Center after suffering a gunshot wound to the cheek, according to authorities and the probable cause affidavits filed in the case.
Two people have been charged in connection with the shooting, which was reported at 4:21 p.m. on April 30, authorities said.
Heaven D. Holmes and Kanye P. Faucette were arrested Tuesday, according to authorities.
Faucette, 19, of Keansburg, is facing multiple counts, including attempted murder, and Holmes, 20, of Keyport, faces weapons charges, authorities have said.
Faucette remains in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution pending further court proceedings, while Holmes is not listed in the jail as of Thursday.
Witnesses told authorities that Holmes and Faucette approached the victim as he sat in the back patio area of the library at 28 East Main St.
After several minutes, witnesses say they began chasing him through the library before Faucette pulled a handgun from his sweatshirt and fired, with Holmes following Faucette, according to the affidavits.
Faucette did not know the victim, but Holmes was an acquaintance of the man, according to the affidavits.
Police arrived and were told by witnesses that the victim was bleeding from the head by the front door and that he had been chased by two people before being shot.
They also found several people, including children, hiding throughout the building, according to the affidavits.
The victim was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center and placed in a medically induced coma, the affidavit said.
The library has remained “closed until further notice” in the wake of the shooting, as library officials said preparing the library to reopen is “taking longer than initially anticipated.”
"Don't worry about returning overdue material in the meantime. As you know, the Freehold Public Library doesn't charge late fees anyway (a few exceptions will be waived)," Library Director Kathy Mulholland said. "Thank you for your continued support and consideration."
Faucette was charged with first-degree attempted murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon (handgun), and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, while Holmes was charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon (handgun), and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, authorities said.
Anyone with information regarding this matter is being asked to contact MCPO Detective Kayla Santiago at 732-431-7160 ext. 3588 or Freehold Borough Police Department Detective Samuel Hernandez at 732-462-1233 ext. 142.
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