4 People Shot In 4 Total Long Branch Shootings, All Connected

LONG BRANCH, NJ — There were actually a total of four people shot in four separate shootings in Long Branch Monday, all believed to be connected.

As of Friday, Long Branch Police and the county prosecutor have not yet made any arrests in the shootings.

The Monmouth County Prosecutor initially said there were three shootings, but Long Branch Public Safety Director William Broughton later confirmed there was a fourth shooting.

The shootings happened in this chronological order, all on Monday:

• At 2:45 p.m. Monday, Long Branch Police got a 911 call of shots fired at the intersection of Halberton Place and North 5th Ave. Upon arrival, it was discovered a home in that location had been struck by multiple rounds of gunfire.
• Approximately seven hours later, shortly after 9:45 p.m, a man was shot at the QuickChek in West Long Branch. He was shot outside the convenience store, and was dropped off at a local hospital for treatment.
• Just before 11:45 p.m., Long Branch Police responded to another report of shots fired along the 300 block of Long Branch Avenue. No victims were found in that incident.
• Finally, at around 1:40 a.m. two people fired multiple rounds at three people leaving a bar on Waverly Place, said police. Two of the victims were taken to Monmouth Medical Center and the third to Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office spokesperson Chris Swendeman did not disclose to 101.5 if gang activity is involved.

"We believe these are not random crimes and are targeted to specific individuals involved in an altercation," said Broughton. "Detectives will use every resource available to bring the perpetrators to justice. If any member of the public has knowledge or information regarding any individuals involved with these incidents, please contact Long Branch Detective Bureau at 732-222-1000 x 2 or Monmouth County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-671-4400."

These are the shootings that prompted the Long Branch school district to postpone Friday night's Long Branch vs. Neptune homecoming football game, and have no fans in attendance due to "public safety concerns."

Also, school superintendent Francisco Rodriguez said "cancellation of the game is still an option," to keep students, players and staff safe amidst the gun violence.

Just last Friday, Asbury Park High School had to cancel its homecoming football game against Keansburg, due to threats of gun violence and shootings at the game. It was Keansburg High School school officials who received threats of shootings at the game, and decided to forfeit the game against Asbury Park.