Keansburg shooting may have been in self-defense, witness says
KEANSBURG - A borough man appeared to be defending himself when he shot a Keyport man during an argument on Highland Boulevard Tuesday morning, a witness told police.
Details of what witnesses told police about the shooting were revealed in an affidavit of probable cause to arrest the alleged gunman, Yacir A. James, 26, of Keansburg.
The affidavit revealed that James and the gunshot victim, whose identity has not been released, argued twice before the shooting occurred at 9:07 a.m.
During the first argument, which occurred about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, James left the area after the gunshot victim took out a pair of brass knuckles, according to the affidavit written by Keansburg Detective Thomas Sheehan.
One witness told police she drove James home to use the bathroom at that point, and he then returned to Highland Boulevard about 8:45 a.m., the affidavit said.
Video surveillance of the area at that point shows the victim and James both "taking fighting stances and shuffling down the roadway of Highland Boulevard,'' the affidavit said.
James, who was wearing all black, including a face covering, pulled out a gun and shot the victim in the stomach area before running from the area, the affidavit alleged.
Police apprehended him on the beach, in the vicinity of Beachway Avenue and Main Street, the document said.
A gun was not recovered, but a 9mm shell casing was found at the scene of the shooting, according to the affidavit.
Witness accounts of the incident corresponded with what was captured on surveillance video, the affidavit said.
One witness told police that the defendant and victim knew each other and had issues with each other in the past.
Another witness "indicated that he believed the defendant was trying to defend himself,'' the affidavit said.
The victim was taken to an undisclosed medical facility, where he underwent surgery to repair injuries to his bowel and hip, the document said. Authorities said he was listed in stable condition.
James is charged with attempted murder, possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a firearm.
He is being held without bail at the Monmouth County Jail, awaiting a detention hearing.
Kathleen Hopkins, a reporter in New Jersey since 1985, covers crime, court cases, legal issues and just about every major murder trial to hit Monmouth and Ocean counties. Contact her at khopkins@app.com
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Keansburg news: Shooting of Keyport man Tuesday may be self defense
