MANCHESTER, NJ – Police have yet to announce an arrest or details in the shooting death of a 25-year-old mother from Barnegat, Gabriella M. Caroleo. Caroleo was found shot dead near the intersection of Route 571 and Route 547 in Manchester Thursday evening shortly before 5:00 pm.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office remains tight-lipped on the details of the shooting. Very little information has been released at this time. No arrests have been made. No suspects have been identified officially.
According to law enforcement sources, a shooter was allegedly still at large as of Friday night. However, the Manchester Police Department and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office have said there is no immediate threat to the community.
At around 2 pm on Friday, the Manchester Police Department and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office released the following joint statement:
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Manchester Township Chief of Police Antonio Ellis announced that on June 27, 2024, at approximately 4:55 p.m., Officers from the Manchester Township Police Department responded to the area of Ridgeway Road and Hope Chapel Road in reference to a 911 call reporting a gunshot victim. Responding Officers discovered a 25-year-old female with a gunshot wound to her stomach. The victim was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where she succumbed to her injuries.
“This incident is currently under investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Manchester Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit; there is no known danger to the public at this time,” stated Prosecutor Billhimer. “Additional information will be released when it becomes available,” Prosecutor Billhimer concluded.
Shore News Network has contacted the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office for an update. Still, it has not confirmed the information provided by credible law enforcement sources in the county.
At this time, neither the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office nor the Manchester Police Department has announced any arrests concerning this incident.
“Gabriella has left us all way too soon. She was taken from us on June 27th in the horrific shooting in Manchester. The family is so heartbroken over this tragic loss. We are raising money for Gabriella’s funeral so we all can say our goodbyes to our angel baby as well to help out her son during this difficult time, as he just lost his mother. It will also be going towards the family during this hard time, having to take off of work for grieving, etc,” said family friend Matthew Gauch, who is organizing a GoFundMe fundraiser for the family in their time of need. “We understand if you can’t help out please share if you can. We appreciate every single person who has reached out and sent their prayers. “
Miss Caroleo’s funeral service will be held on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Oliverie Funeral Home on Ridgeway Road in Manchester.
“Gabriella M Caroleo 25 of Barnegat passed away tragically on Thursday June 27, 2024, in Manchester. Born in Staten Island, NY, she resided in Ocean County for 18 years. A young vibrant, strong independent woman who loved the color purple and enjoyed laughing with her great sense of humor. She collected Jordans, & Nike sneakers, and listened to Rap, R&B and Country music and was kind, giving, good hearted. Surviving are her parents Carmine Caroleo and Regina “Gina” Caroleo, her son, Calvin Brodie Jr and his dad, Calvin Brodie Sr; siblings, Angel Torres & girlfriend Nicole Alexander and Annamaria Caroleo & fiancé Matthew Souders. Aunt & Uncles, Aunt Marie Emin, & Aunt Jennifer Santana, Uncle Robbie Beckett & Uncle Anthony Gach and many cousins. Visitation is Tuesday 4-7 PM with a 6 pm service at Oliverie Funeral Home 2925 Ridgeway Rd Manchester. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Ocean’s Harbor House 808 Conifer Street Toms River NJ 08753, National Domestic Violence Hotline PO Box 90249 Austin, TX 78709,” her obituary reads.