Crime & Safety
Man, 36, Identified As Victim Of Lakewood Shooting
Eric Galarza was fatally shot at his home in Lakewood Friday night, according to the prosecutor's office.
LAKEWOOD, NJ — A 36-year-old lifelong Lakewood resident has been identified as the victim of a fatal shooting that took place over the weekend.
Eric Galarza was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds at a Lakewood home at about 10:30 p.m. on Friday night, June 21, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced Tuesday morning.
Galarza was taken to the Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus, where he was pronounced dead, Billhimer said. Further details weren’t immediately available. The shooting happened at a home on Lucy Road, according to an Asbury Park Press report.
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Galarza was a student at Ocean County College, where he played baseball, according to an online obituary. He loved sports, and also played semi-pro football and softball, and coached his son’s football and baseball teams. He was a crew supervisor for Leisure Village East in Lakewood.
He is survived by his wife, Christina Galarza; three sons, Zachary Kencik, Max Kencik and Cameron Galarza; his mother, Martha Galarza and her companion, Robert Taub; his father, Julio Galarza; and two brothers; Eliud and Carlos Rodruguez. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and beloved cat, Kitty.
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A viewing for Galarza will take place on Thursday, June 27, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at D’Elia Funeral Home, 1300 Vermont Avenue in Lakewood. Anyone planning to attend is asked to wear their favorite sports jersey. A funeral service will be held at 8:30 p.m. during the viewing hours by Rev. Angel L. Ortiz. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Manchester Little League.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office and the Lakewood Police Department are conducting the ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about this investigation are urged to contact Det. John Carroll of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-4760 or Det. Oscar Valmon of the Lakewood Police Department at 732-363-0200.
See related: Man Killed In Lakewood Shooting: Prosecutor
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