TOMS RIVER – A Monmouth County man has been charged with murder after shooting a man and injuring two others at a hookah lounge, officials said.
Eric Manzanares, 22, of Asbury Park, has been charged with Murder in connection to the death of Nymere Tinsley, 25, of Brick Township. Additionally, Manzanares was charged with Attempted Murder, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon.
The shooting occurred around 1:20 a.m. on August 27 at the Top Tier Hookah Lounge located at 1769 Hooper Avenue in Toms River.
Police said Tinsley suffered a gunshot wound to his lower abdomen and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The two other victims, Anthony Miller, 29, of Neptune Township, and Jamal Bland, 24, of Asbury Park, were brought to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for treatment. Miller suffered a gunshot wound to the stomach and was released after treatment. Bland; suffered a gunshot wound to his elbow and was also released after treatment.
According to authorities, Manzanares was found responsible for the shooting of all three victims.
At this time, Manzanares has not been arrested and is considered a fugitive. Officials have issued a warrant for his arrest.
“Great teamwork has been exhibited by all of the respective law enforcement agencies and officers involved in this investigation. Our focus now is to find Eric Manzanares and bring him into custody,” Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Eric Manzanares should contact Detective Denis Mitchell of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027 ext. 2476, or Detective Jennifer Grob of the Toms River Township Police Department at 732-349-0150.
Prosecutor Billhimer and Toms River Township Chief of Police Mitchell A. Little commend the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Department, Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Asbury Park Police Department, and United States Marshals Service, for their continuing and combined efforts in connection with this investigation.
