By: Richard L. Smith
Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago confirmed on Saturday that 33-year-old Juan Jesus Mejia Yanza, a Howell resident, has been arrested and faces first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree weapons offenses related to a fatal shooting on Thursday, June 5.
Shortly before 6:45 a.m., Howell Township police officers were dispatched to White Street following reports of an unresponsive person in a vehicle.
They discovered 36-year-old Rolando Acte Mejia, also of Howell, suffering from two gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at the scene.
An inquiry led by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Major Crimes Bureau, in partnership with Howell PD, concluded that the shooting was an isolated event and there is no ongoing threat to the community.
Investigators later identified Yanza as the suspect.
Authorities arrested him without incident at his home on Friday. He is currently detained at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, awaiting further legal proceedings in Monmouth County Superior Court.
At this time, details about his legal representation remain unavailable.
The case remains under active investigation, and officials are urging anyone with relevant information to reach out to Detective Kayla Santiago at the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office (800-533-7443) or Detective Vincent Bonner at Howell PD (732-938-4111).