Manalapan Man Killed 'By Complete Stranger,' Family Says

MANALAPAN, NJ — It remains unknown why a Jackson man allegedly killed a Manalapan man this past weekend, firing two gunshots into him and then fleeing the scene, according to police.

The victim, Narciso Rodriguez-Corona, 43, known to friends and family as Nelson, is pictured above. His family says his accused shooter is a complete stranger to him.

"On the night of Saturday, October 5, 2019, Narciso Rodriguez-Corona was murdered by a complete stranger," his loved ones wrote on a GoFundMe page. "He was shot twice, resulting in his death. We are so devastated by his unexpected death."

As Patch reported, the fatal shooting happened at a home at 25 Fawn Run in Manalapan this past Saturday night, Oct. 5: At about 9:30 p.m., police were called there for a report of a fight. Witnesses said Gerard Grimes Jr., 23, of Jackson came to the home armed with a handgun.

Rodriguez does not live there, but he was at the home at the time.

Grimes tried to enter the house while some of his friends remained outside. People inside said they stopped him from getting in, and he briefly left, said the county prosecutor. However, shortly thereafter Grimes and Rodriguez ended up encountering each other nearby, where Grimes ultimately fatally shot Rodriguez and then fled the area, police said.

When Manalapan police found Rodriguez, he was suffering from life-threatening injuries. He was taken to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead there.

Grimes was found in the backyard of a nearby home. He was charged with first-degree murder and remains in the Monmouth County jail.

"We believe this was an isolated incident and there is no further danger to the public," the county prosecutor said.

A neighbor, who lives nearby on Pension Road, told News12 he heard several gunshots between 9:20 p.m. and 9:40 p.m. Saturday, and then saw six police squad cars as well as a helicopter hovering over the area for 20 minutes.

Related: Jackson Man Charged With Fatal Shooting Of Manalapan Man

Fatal Shooting In Manalapan After Report Of Fight: Cops

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