By: Richard L. Smith
Three men have been indicted in connection with a January shooting in Toms River that endangered a family, including two children, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.
A grand jury indicted Lyjhahn Cromartie, 19, of Lakehurst; Shazir Vallade, 20, of Lakewood; and Javir Askew-Mayweather, 21, of Manchester on three counts each of attempted murder for allegedly firing into a residence on Justice Court in Hopes Crossing during the early morning hours of January 13, 2025.
Vallade was also indicted on weapons offenses, including unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a high-capacity ammunition magazine.
Around 1:55 a.m. that morning, Toms River police responded to reports of gunfire and found that shots had been fired into a home where an adult and two children were inside. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.
Investigators from the Toms River Police Department, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Major Crime Unit, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Crime Scene Investigation Unit quickly identified Askew-Mayweather as one of the alleged shooters.
A warrant was issued, and he was arrested on February 4 by the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force in Atlantic City. He was later released under New Jersey Bail Reform guidelines.
Further investigation led authorities to Cromartie and Vallade, who were arrested without incident on February 28 — Cromartie at his Lakehurst home by the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, and Vallade at his job in Berkeley Township by county and local detectives. 
Cromartie has remained jailed since his arrest, while Vallade was also released under state bail reform rules.
According to officials, the coordinated efforts of multiple agencies were key in bringing these suspects to justice.