Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Manchester Township Police Chief Antonio Ellis announced today that Maxwell Johnson, 35, of Manchester Township, has been charged with Murder in connection with the shooting death of Gabriella Caroleo, 25, of Seaside Heights, on June 27, 2024.
Johnson has also been charged with Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon, all arising from the same incident.
On June 27, 2024, at approximately 4:55 p.m., Manchester Township Police Department responded to a 911 call reporting a gunshot victim in the area of Ridgeway Road and Hope Chapel Road. Officers discovered Ms. Caroleo with a gunshot wound to her stomach and airlifted her to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where she succumbed to her injuries.
A thorough investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Manchester Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, revealed that Johnson was responsible for Ms. Caroleo’s death.
Johnson is currently a fugitive from justice and a warrant for his arrest has been issued. His name has been entered into the National Crime Information Center database. Law enforcement agencies are working diligently to locate Johnson and bring him into custody.
Prosecutor Billhimer stated, “We are focused on finding Johnson and bringing him to justice. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts should contact Detective Denis Mitchell at 732-929-2027, extension 2476, or Detective Richard Conklin at 732-657-2009, extension 4211.”