By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Monmouth County announced that a juvenile and an adult male have been charged in connection with the shooting death of a North Brunswick man from earlier this month in Long Branch at Pier Village.
Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago stated that the juvenile defendant, whose name is being withheld due to his age, is currently being held at a juvenile detention center and has been served with juvenile complaints that include Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Possession of a Prohibited Weapon and Hindering, in connection with the shooting death of Chrystofer A. Whyte, 18.
According to MCPO officials, Dwayne Exilus, 18, of Woodbridge, was charged with second-degree Conspiracy to Commit Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (handgun), second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, third-degree Hindering, and one count of fourth-degree Possession of a Prohibited Weapon.
Monmouth County officials said that on Thursday evening, June 12, at approximately 8:58 p.m., the Long Branch Police Department responded to the beach area between the shoreline and the boardwalk of Pier Village for a report of shots fired.
Upon arrival, officers discovered an adult male victim suffering from a single gunshot wound, MCPO officials say.
MCPO officials stated that the victim, later identified as Whyte, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
An investigation involving members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office – Major Crimes Bureau and the Long Branch Police Department is currently ongoing, accoridng to Monmouth County officials.