Man Arrested In Shooting Of Monmouth County Girl, 15: Prosecutor

FREEHOLD, NJ — A Monmouth County man has been arrested in the Wednesday night shooting of a 15-year-old girl in Asbury Park, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said Friday.

Josiphiah Fowlkes, 22, of Washington Avenue in Asbury Park, has been charged with first-degree attempted murder, two counts of second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, second-degree possession of a handgun for unlawful purpose, second-degree certain person not to possess a weapon, and third-degree receiving stolen property, said Charles Webster, spokesman for the prosecutor's office.

The shooting occurred about 11 p.m. Wednesday in the area of Washington Avenue, Webster said. Asbury Park Police patrols were in the area and heard several gunshots, and when they arrived at the Washington Village Apartment Complex, they found the 15-year-old girl with a gunshot wound to the leg, Webster said. Police found a vehicle in a driveway that also had been struck by gunfire, as was the Washington Village security booth, he said.

The victim has since been released from the hospital where she was taken for treatment following the shooting, Webster said.

While investigating the shooting, police made contact with Fowlkes on Thursday, and discovered Fowlkes in possession of a stolen handgun, Webster said. Police arrested Fowlkes and charged him with second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, third-degree receiving stolen property, as well as second degree certain persons not to have weapons, based upon a qualifying prior conviction, he said.

The additional charges of attempted murder, unlawful possession of handgun and possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose were added following further investigation, Fowlkes said.

Fowlkes faces up to 20 years in prison on the attempted murder charge, Webster said.

Despite the arrest, the shooting remains under investigation and anyone with information can contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective John Leibfried at 800-533-7443 and Detective Steven Ramseur of the Asbury Park Police Department at 732-774-1300.

Anyone with information who wishes to remain anonymous can contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers. All information will remain anonymous. Those wishing to provide information in this manner can contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-671-4400 or text “MONMOUTH” and your tip to 274637 (CRIMES).

The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Decker, Director of the Office’s Major Crimes Bureau, Webster said.

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