2 Charged In South Toms River Shootings; 1 Sought: Prosecutor

SOUTH TOMS RIVER, NJ — One man is being sought after he and a second man were charged after shootings in South Toms River in late August injured three people, the Ocean County prosecutor's office announced Friday.

Nagee Covington, 19, of Lakewood, has been arrested in the Aug. 25 incident, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and South Toms River Police Chief William Kosh said in a joint news release. Shakem Hunley, 24, of Freehold, has been charged but is not yet in custody.

Three people suffered gunshot wounds and a female was assaulted in connection with an incident, the details of which remain unclear.

"This wanton brutality will not be tolerated in any of our communities," Billhimer said.

South Toms River police responded to a 911 call in the early hours of Aug. 25 and found a male victim with a gunshot wound to his leg, the prosecutor's office said. The victim was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment. Two more gunshot victims arrived at Community Medical Center in Toms River for treatment, brought in personal vehicles, the prosecutor's office said.

In addition, a female victim located at the scene was determined to have been physically assaulted, Billhimer said. Ages and hometowns of the female victim and the gunshot victims were not released.

The investigation into the shootings led to the execution of a search warrant at a residence in Lakewood and Covington was arrested there, Billhimer said.

After a thorough investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, South Toms River Police Department, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, the Lakewood Township Police Special Response Team.

Hunley, however, remains at large. Anyone with information concerning his whereabouts should contact Detective Denis Mitchell of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit at 732-929-2027, ext. 2476, or Detective Timothy Meier of the South Toms River Police Department at 732-349-2010.

Covington has been charged with three counts of aggravated assault in connection with the shooting victims, one count of aggravated assault in connection with the injured female; one count of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and one count of unlawful possession of a weapon. He is being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Hunley has been charged with three counts of aggravated assault in connection with teh shooting victims, one count of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and one count of unlawful possession of a weapon. A warrant has been issued for Hunley’s arrest, Billhimer said.

"I'm relieved that one individual is in custody, but our job is not done," Billhimer said. "We need to find Shakem Hunley and restore a sense of peace in South Toms River."

"The residents of South Toms River should not have to worry about their neighborhood turning into O.K. Corral," he said.

The Aug. 25 shootings followed an incident in July where shots were fired on Charles Avenue one evening. There were no injuries reported in that incident.

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and the South Toms River Police Department are investigating and have been assisted by the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit and the Lakewood Township Police Special Response Team assisted.

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