Manhunt For Suspect In Shooting Death Of Rutgers Student From Toms River

Authorities are offering a $10,000 reward for information regarding the shooting of a Rutgers student from Toms River, authorities said.

Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura’s Crimestoppers Program is offering up to $10,000 for information in the Sunday night shooting next to the campus.

The dead student has been identified as Shani Patel, 21, of Toms River. The identity of the 23-year old surviving victim, who was in critical condition at press time, was not released, according to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.

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.

The incident involving a Rutgers student from the Newark campus happened at 10 p.m. Sunday, according the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.

Katherine Carter, a spokeswoman for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, said detectives were investigating a homicide near the intersection of Central Avenue and Halsey Street in Newark around 10 p.m.

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.

The deceased man was a 21-year-old Economics major at the university, nj.com said, 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.

A Toms River man with same name was sentenced to two years of probation last year after Patel 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 (1) of Shani Patel, courtesy of @dantecuomo

Photo (2) courtesy of WNBC-TV News 4 New York