Man Wanted For Long Branch Train Station Shooting Death Apprehended In The Poconos On Thursday
Saturday, September 7, 2024, 8:30 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
LONG BRANCH, NJ.- A 19-year-old man wanted in connection with the August 26th cold-blooded shooting death of a Newark, New Jersey man on the platform of the NJ Transit train station in Long Branch, New Jersey, was taken into custody on Thursday in the Poconos region of Pennsylvania.
According to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago, Damian Bass, 19, with the last known address of Fanwood, New Jersey, was taken into custody in the Effort section of Chestnuthill Township, Pennsylvania, by members of the U.S. Marshals Service Middle District of Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force and U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Fugitive Task Force, Monmouth/ Ocean Team.
The arrest stems from an investigation that began on Monday, August 26, 2024, when, shortly before 7:45 p.m., members of the Long Branch Police Department responded to the platform of the NJ Transit Long Branch station on a report of a of a man being shot.
Homicide Investigation
Upon arrival, Police Officers found a man, later identified as James Hailey, 43, of Newark, New Jersey, having sustained a life-threatening gunshot wound. Mr. Hailey was immediately transported to an area hospital, where he succumbed to his injury and was tragically pronounced deceased an hour later.
An investigation by Detectives of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, the New Jersey Transit Police, and the Long Branch Police Department were able to identify Bass as the suspect and the individual responsible for the death of Mr. Hailey.
Charges Filed
Accordingly, following being identified, Bass was formally charged on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, with first-degree Murder; second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon; and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose. Following the filing of the charges, a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Bass remains in custody in the Common Wealth of Pennsylvania pending extradition to New Jersey to face trial in Monmouth County Superior Court in Freehold, New Jersey.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact Detective Aaron Shaw of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at (800) 533-7443, or New Jersey Transit Police Detective Brian Lee at (973) 491-8952, or Detective Daniel Cunha of the Long Branch Police Department at (732) 222-1000 Ext. 1373. All Calls will be kept confidential.
“The rules of the court require 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.”
