35-Year-Old Manchester Township Want Wanted For The June 27, 2024, Shooting Death Of Seaside Heights Woman

Wednesday, July 3, 2024, 2:30 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ.- A 35-year-old Manchester Township, New Jersey man remains on the run after being charged in connection with the alleged shooting death of Gabriella Caroleo, 25, of Seaside Heights, New Jersey, that occurred during the afternoon hours on Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Manchester Township.

     According to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, Maxwell Johnston, 35, of Manchester Township, New Jersey has been formally charged with first-degree Murder; second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon; second-degree Possession with a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose; and second-degree Certain Persons Not to Possess Weapons.

     The charges stem from an investigation that unfolded on Thursday, June 27, 2024, when shortly before 5:00 p.m., members of the Manchester Township Police Department responded to the area of Ridgeway and Hope Chapel Roads in the Township after receiving a 911 Emergency Call reporting a gunshot victim.

     Upon arrival, Police Officers found Ms. Caroleo suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound to her stomach. Ms. Caroleo was immediately airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where despite life-saving efforts Ms. Caroleo sadly succumbed to her injury and was subsequently pronounced deceased.

     A swift-moving investigation by Ocean County Authorities was quickly able to identify Johnston as the suspect and the individual responsible for the shooting death of Ms. Caroleo.

     According to authorities, Johnson has not been taken into custody and remains at large. A warrant has been issued for his arrest and his name has been entered into the National Crime Information Center database.

      “We have been working diligently with our law enforcement partners to locate Johnston. Great teamwork has been exhibited by all respective law enforcement agencies and officers involved in this investigation. We are focused on finding Johnson and bring him into custody. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Maxwell Johnson should contact Detective Denis Mitchell of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 929-2027, extension 2476, or Detective Richard Conklin of the Manchester Township Police Department at (732) 657-2009, extension 4211,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated.

“The rules of the court requires us to include a statement, that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”