Lithuanian National Critically Wounded In 2024 Pacific Avenue Shooting

Saturday, March 14, 2026, 12:15 P.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

CAPE MAY COUNTY COURT HOUSE, NJ.- A Wildwood man has been sentenced to 18 years in state prison following his conviction for the attempted murder of a young woman who was shot in the head during a 2024 incident in Cape May County, authorities announced.

     Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland and Chief Joseph Murphy of the Wildwood Police Department confirmed that William Hoyle, 42, of Wildwood, New Jersey, was sentenced on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Cape May County Superior Court after being convicted of first-degree Attempted Murder.

     The sentence stems from a violent shooting that occurred during the early morning hours of July 9, 2024, in the area of 3817 Pacific Avenue in Wildwood, New Jersey.

Emergency Response To Shooting;

     According to investigators, Police Officers from the Wildwood Police Department responded to reports of shots fired in the Pacific Avenue corridor.

     Upon arriving at the scene, Police Officers located a 20-year-old female victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Authorities said the victim, a citizen of Lithuania, was found critically injured and required immediate medical attention.

     Emergency responders transported the victim to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City for treatment.

     Officials have not publicly disclosed additional information regarding the victim’s identity or long-term medical condition.

Extensive Investigation Leads To Suspect;

     Investigators determined that the suspect fled the scene before officers arrived, prompting a coordinated investigation by Detectives from the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and the Wildwood Police Department.

     Authorities described the case as an extensive investigation, involving witness interviews, evidence collection, and coordinated investigative work between County Prosecutors and Municipal Police Detectives.

     Through investigative efforts, law enforcement officials ultimately identified William Hoyle as the suspect responsible for the shooting.

     Following the identification, Detectives secured an arrest warrant charging Hoyle with first-degree Attempted Murder and related weapons offenses.

     Before investigators could apprehend him locally, Hoyle turned himself in to the Camden Police Department in Camden, New Jersey, where he was taken into custody and later transferred to Cape May County authorities.

Court Proceedings And Sentencing;

     Hoyle appeared before the Superior Court in Cape May County on March 11, 2026, where the court imposed a sentence of 18 years in New Jersey State Prison for the Attempted Murder conviction.

     Under New Jersey law governing violent first-degree crimes, individuals convicted of attempted murder are typically required to serve a significant portion of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

     Prosecutor Sutherland credited Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jennifer Hance for her role in prosecuting the case and securing the conviction.

     Authorities also recognized the investigative work of detectives from both the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and the Wildwood Police Department.

     Law enforcement officials said the sentence concludes nearly two years of investigative and prosecutorial work following the violent July 2024 shooting. 

Editor’s Note:

This article was written by Art Fletcher, Executive Editor, and is based on official statements released by the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and the Wildwood Police Department. Authorities did not release the victim’s identity or provide updated information regarding her current medical condition at the time of publication. Englebrook Independent News reports on criminal proceedings based on verified information from law enforcement agencies, prosecutorial statements, and court records.