N.J. Man Charged With Killing Rutgers Student: Prosecutor

A 25-year-old New Jersey man has been charged with the murder of a Rutgers University student who was shot and killed Sunday, according to authorities.

Marcus Feliz, 25, of Newark has been charged with the murder of Shani Patel, a 21-year-old Rutgers-Newark student from Toms River, according to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.

Feliz has been taken into custody and charged with murder, felony murder and robbery. Bail has been set at $750,000 by state Superior Court Judge Michael Nelson, according to the ECPO.

Feliz is not a Rutgers University student and is not affiliated with the university.

Another 23-year-old shooting victim, who was not identified, remains in stable condition, according to the ECPO.

The investigation is active and ongoing, according to acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose.

Read more: Slain Rutgers Student Had Troubled, Complicated Life: Friends, Neighbors Say

Authorities were offering a $10,000 reward for information regarding the shooting of the Rutgers student, authorities said.

Patel's Facebook and Linkedin profiles identify him as a member of the Rutgers Class of 2016 who graduated from Toms River North High School in 2012.

Detectives began their investigation of the homicide near the intersection of Central Avenue and Halsey Street in Newark around 10 p.m. on Sunday.

Police went to the apartment site of the shooting Sunday night and found one victim before locating another who was in grave condition, according to ECPO.

The university deemed the attack not to be a random and there are no safety threats to the school community, according to authorities.

A substantial amount of drugs and money were found at the scene of the fatal shooting, and authorities believe the shooting may have occurred during a robbery, according to nj.com.

Patel was a 21-year-old Economics major at the university, while the second victim, who was transported to University Hospital for treatment, is a 23-year-old alumnus of the university.

Nancy Cantor, Rutgers-Newark chancellor, released a statement regarding Patel:

Following up on my message of earlier this morning, we have now learned that our student whom we lost last night was Shani Patel, a junior economics major from Toms River, New Jersey.

While law enforcement is still investigating and we understand that it was not a random act that led to Shani’s death, it is a shock to lose a member of our community under any circumstances. We have different ways of dealing with such a loss, so we remind all members of our community that we have counseling services available. I remind you that any member of our community who would like support may come to the Paul Robeson Campus Center, room 302, all day until 5 p.m. today and tomorrow, or may call 973.353.5063. Employees also may contact Rutgers Human Resources/Faculty Staff & Assistance Program at 848.932.3956.

Our deepest condolences go out to Shani’s family and to all who knew him as a student, colleague, or friend.

Patel has had a troubled past. The Toms River native was sentenced to two years of probation last year after he was indicted on a charge of third-degree possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and fourth-degree possession of marijuana, according to state records.

The assailants appear to be about 20 years of age, 5 feet 9 inches tall and about 145 pounds. One of the gunmen was shirtless, police said. The incident remains under investigation by the Newark and Rutgers police departments and the Essex County Prosecutors Office.

Photo: Marcus Feliz