TOMS RIVER, NJ – Police in Toms River continue investigating a triple shooting that claimed the life of a 29-year-old Toms River man early Saturday morning.
The shooting took place outside the Top Tier Hookah Lounge located on Hooper Avenue in the Silverton section of the city,
Police did not reveal the events leading up to the shooting nor provide an identity of the gunmen involved in the murder, which the department hinted was a targeted shooting. At this time, there are no suspects in custody, but the Toms River Police Department says there are no further threats posed to the community in relation to this shooting.
According to police one gunshot victim remains in critical condition at this time. A third victim was treated and released.
“At approximately 1:20 a.m. this morning, Officers from Toms River Township Police Department responded to 1723 Hooper Avenue for a report of gunshots fired. Responding Officers found three victims suffering from gunshot wounds. A twenty-nine-year-old male was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River and was pronounced deceased. The two other victims were transported to Monmouth County for medical attention. A twenty-nine-year-old male victim is currently in critical but stable condition. A twenty-five-year-old male victim was treated for his injuries and released,” the Toms River Police Department said in a joint statement today with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
The lounge recently moved north a few blocks this year from its former location near McIntyre’s Pub just south of its current location on the 1700 block of Hooper Avenue.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Toms River Township Chief of Police Mitch Little announced that the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Department and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit are currently investigating a homicide that occurred at approximately 1:20 a.m. on August 27, 2022 in Toms River.
There is no known danger to the public at this time, according to Toms River Police Chief Mitch Little.
According to witnesses, at the time of the shooting, the entire lot of the plaza was full of cars, with several patrons’ vehicles parked on Hooper Avenue and in a nearby parking lot. Witnesses told Shore News Network today that the suspect were identified as Hispanic males who fled the scene in a silver vehicle.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation should contact Detective Denis Mitchell of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027 or Detective Jennifer Grob of the Toms River Township Police Department at 732-349-0150