Somerset County authorities announced the arrests of Mr. Ronnie Lyles, 51, Phillipsburg and Miguel A. Hernandez, 37, of Somerville in relation to gunshots fired in the area of Third Street and Center Street in the early morning hours of Sunday, May 23, in Somerville.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that on May 23, 2021, at approximately 2:44 a.m., Somerville Police Officers were dispatched to the area of Third Street and Center Street for reports of shots fired.
Upon arrival, Somerville Police Department Officers observed damage to an occupied residence which they determined to be caused by gunshots.
Officials said no injuries were reported to be sustained. Detectives from the Somerville Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit responded to investigate.
According to Somerset County officials, detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Somerville Police Department investigated the shooting.
As a result of this investigation, Ronnie Lyles and Miguel A. Hernandez were identified as the two individuals involved in the shooting. Defendant Lyles was taken into custody on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, without incident.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that defendant Lyles has been charged with two counts of 1st degree Attempted Murder and one count of 2nd-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose. Defendant Lyles was lodged at the Somerset County Jail pending a bail detention hearing in this matter.
Defendant Hernandez was taken into custody on Friday, June 4, without incident. Prosecutor Robertson stated that defendant Hernandez has been charged with two counts of 1st degree Attempted Murder and one count of 2nd-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose.
Defendant Hernandez was lodged at the Somerset County Jail pending a bail detention hearing in this matter. The matter remains an active ongoing investigation into the motive for the shooting.
Prosecutor Robertson, Chief Fodor and Chief Manning request anyone with information relating to the shooting investigation to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100 or the Somerville Police Department at (908) 725-0331