By: Najla Alexander
Image by: Dailyvoice
Authorities in Ocean County announced that on June 1, Anthony Zigarelli (pictured above), 21, of Manchester Township, pled guilty to Aggravated Assault and being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon before the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, P.J.Cr.P., relative to an incident that occurred in Toms River Township on May 14, 2024.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated that, additionally, Anthony Ventrice, 19, of Toms River, pled guilty before Judge Ryan to Aggravated Assault in connection with the same incident.
At the time of Zigarelli’s sentencing on August 14, 2026, the State will be seeking a term of 10 years in New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) as to the Aggravated Assault charge - subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act (NERA) - and five years in NJSP, with five years of parole eligibility, as to the Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon offense, OCPO officials say.
OCPO officials said the sentences are to run concurrently. At the time of Ventrice’s sentencing, also scheduled for August 14, 2026, the State will seek a term of seven years' NJSP, subject to the terms of NERA.
According to Ocean County officials, on May 14, 2024, at approximately 4:05 p.m., Officers from the Toms River Township Police Department responded to the area of Camino Medio and Camino Verde in response to multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots.
An investigation by responding Officers revealed that a male victim was riding his bicycle through the area while two individuals – subsequently identified as Zigarelli and Ventrice - were standing outside a vehicle in the same area at that time, Ocean County officials stated.
As the victim rode past the defendants, Ventrice produced a handgun and fired multiple gunshots in the victim’s direction. Zigarelli and Ventrice then entered the vehicle and drove past the victim, with Zigarelli firing additional shots at him. None of the shots struck the victim, and he was uninjured in the attack, OCPO authorities say.
According to Ocean County officials, on May 15, 2024, Ventrice - who was a juvenile at the time of the incident - was charged with Attempted Murder, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose, on a Juvenile Complaint-Warrant.
Ocean County officials said that on May 22, 2024, Ventrice was taken into custody by Officers from the Lakewood Township Police Department and transported to the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center.
The Juvenile Court’s jurisdiction over Ventrice was ultimately waived, and his case was referred to the adult Criminal Court, Ocean County officials stated. On May 30, 2025, Ventrice was transported from the Juvenile Detention Center to the Ocean County Jail, where he has remained since.
OCPO officials say that on May 28, 2024, Zigarelli was charged with Attempted Murder, being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. Zigarelli was taken into custody on May 29, 2024, by Officers from the Toms River Police Department.
He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has been detained since that date, Ocean County officials said.