The wheels of justice are turning in Monmouth County as a grand jury has handed down indictments against two men for their alleged involvement in a deadly shooting that shook the community in May 2022. Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced the charges Monday, revealing grim details about the murder of 39-year-old Marques Mills of Neptune Township.
The two suspects, Kedrick Chatmon, 37, of Keansburg, and Lamare R. Walker, 45, of Barnegat, now face first-degree charges for both Murder and Conspiracy to Commit Murder. Chatmon also faces additional weapons charges.
The tragedy unfolded on the night of May 14, 2022, when Neptune Township Police responded to reports of gunfire near the intersection of Hillview Drive and Edgemere Road. Mills was found critically injured inside a vehicle parked in his driveway. Despite being rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Mills succumbed to his injuries the following day.
After an exhaustive investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Bureau and Neptune Township Police, Chatmon and Walker were identified as suspects. The pair were apprehended last Thursday, November 21, 2024, in coordinated efforts by law enforcement, including the U.S. Marshals Service.
Both men remain in custody at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution and are scheduled for detention hearings on Tuesday, December 3, before Judge Jill G. O’Malley.
The charges underscore the gravity of the crime, but both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. The investigation reflects a collaborative effort across multiple agencies to address violent crime and ensure accountability.
As the case moves forward, the community watches closely, seeking justice for Marques Mills and his grieving family.