Asbury Park fugitive arrested in Virginia, charged in Toms River murder

TOMS RIVER - A fugitive from Asbury Park has been arrested in Virginia after being charged in a murder that occurred last summer in Toms River, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced Thursday.

Eric Manzanares, 23, of Asbury Park, was arrested on April 7 in Prince William County, Virginia, Billhimer said, where he remains in an adult detention center pending extradition to New Jersey.

On August 27, 2022, around 1:20 a.m., Toms River police responded to the Top Tier Hookah Lounge at 1769 Hooper Avenue after receiving a report of gunshots, the announcement said. There, officers found three victims with gunshot wounds.

Nymere Tinsley, 25, of Brick Township, suffered a gunshot wound to his lower abdomen and was pronounced dead at the scene, said Billhimer.

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Anthony Miller, 29, of Neptune Township, suffered a gunshot wound to his stomach, according to the announcement. Jamal Bland, 24, of Asbury Park, suffered a gunshot wound to his elbow. Both were taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, treated and released.

An investigation found that Manzanares was responsible for the shooting all three victims, Billhimer said.

On the day of the incident, Manzanares was charged with murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon, the prosecutor said. A warrant for his arrest was issued on the same day, and his name was entered in the National Crime Information Center database.

Jenna Calderón covers breaking news and cold cases in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Before coming to the Press, she covered The Queen City for Cincinnati Magazine in Ohio. Contact her at 330-590-3903; jcalderon@gannettnj.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Asbury Park fugitive arrested, charged in Toms River murder