By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Ocean County announced that on April 24, Eric Manzanares, 26, of Asbury Park, was sentenced by the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, P.J.Cr.P., to twenty years in New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) relative to his previously entered guilty plea to Aggravated Manslaughter in connection with an incident that occurred in Toms River on August 27, 2022. 
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that, additionally, Judge Ryan sentenced Manzanares to seven years in NJSP relative to his previously entered guilty pleas to each of two counts of Aggravated Assault in connection with the same incident.
OCPO officials said that all of the sentences will be subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act (NERA), meaning that Manzanares will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentences before he may be considered for parole eligibility.
The sentences will run concurrently. Manzanares pled guilty to all charges before Judge Ryan on February 27, 2026, OCPO officials say.
According to Ocean County officials, on August 27, 2022, at approximately 1:20 a.m., Officers from the Toms River Township Police Department responded to the Top Tier Hookah Lounge located at 1769 Hooper Avenue for a report of gunshots having been fired.
Responding Officers found three victims suffering from gunshot wounds, Ocean County officials stated.
OCPO officials said that Nymere Tinsley suffered a gunshot wound to his lower abdomen. He was transported to Community Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.
Two other victims were transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for treatment of their injuries: Anthony Miller, 30, of Neptune Township, suffered a gunshot wound to the stomach, was treated for his injuries, and released; Jamal Bland, 26, of Asbury Park, suffered a gunshot wound to his elbow, and was likewise treated and released, Ocean County officials said.
A thorough investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit revealed that Manzanares was responsible for shooting all three victims, according to Ocean County officials.
Ocean County authorities said on August 27, 2022, Manzanares was initially charged with Murder, Attempted Murder, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. A warrant for Manzanares’ arrest was issued on that date, and his name was entered into the National Crime Information Center database.
OCPO officials said on April 7, 2023, Manzanares was apprehended by law enforcement in Prince William County, Virginia. Manzanares was lodged in the Prince William-Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center in Manassas, Virginia, and finally extradited to Ocean County on January 24, 2024.
He has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since that date, Ocean County officials say.