Three additional suspects arrested in shooting
By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
Three additional suspects have been charged in connection with the murder of a 21-year-old woman Dec. 5, which Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis A. Valentin confirmed Tuesday is gang related.
Valentin had been hesitant after the murder of Latyria M. Nealy and the murder of Tylik Pugh in October, to state that gangs were involved in either case.
Nikki Moore, was arrested last week as one of several people involved in the Dec. 5 murder of Nealy, 21, of Neptune.
The three charged Monday were, Cassey Gross, 20, of Asbury Park, who also goes by the name “Hennessey,” Quincell Adams, 18, Neptune, who also uses the name “Bundles” and Samuel Ling, 19, of Asbury Park, who is also known as “Bang em.”
From clockwise: Samuel Ling, Nikki Moore, Cassey Gross, Quincell Adams.
At a press conference Tuesday Prosecutor Valentin said that it is believed that Ling is the person who pulled the trigger when Nealy was shot once in the head in the parking lot of a city apartment complex.
Charges against Ling, who is being held on $2 million bail with no 10 percent option, are one count of unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, murder, and conspiracy to commit murder.
Gross and Adams were both charged with one count each of murder and conspiracy to commit murder and are being held on $1.5 million bail, with no 10 percent option.
Valentin would not confirm what type of weapon was found in Ling’s possession or whether or not it was the weapon used to murder Nealy.
Valentin said Tuesday, “The investigation into the death of Ms. Nealy has determined that her death was gang related. The investigation further reveals that there was a disagreement between members of the same “set” within the Bloods street gang and that this disagreement led to the death of Ms. Nealy.”
In his remarks Valentin said that gang recruitment and activity is on the rise and urged the cooperation of citizens and communities to combat the problem.
“Gang violence must be taken seriously and recognized as the serious threat it has become in Monmouth County,” he said.
Valentin also said that people should not make the mistake of thinking gangs are only active in cities, such as Asbury Park and neighboring towns, where he admitted that the Bloods, which he called a “significant operation,” are actively operating.
“But other communities are not immune,” he said.
Councilman James Keady, who has been a vocal proponent of fighting the influx of gangs in the city, said Tuesday, “Most importantly I’m extremely pleased that arrests were made, that will bring some solace to the Nealy family.”
Keady said one positive step in the community is the formation of Asbury Park Community Task force, (ACT) which has been meeting every Sunday night to discuss violence among city youth.
The councilman has been attending the meetings and said, “I can only hope that as a community we can begin to do the very difficult work of rooting out this problem.”
Valentin said all members of the community, including parents, religious leaders, school officials and law enforcement must work together to rid communities of street gangs.
Valentin said keeping illegal guns from coming into New Jersey would be one step in alleviating the problem.
“We cannot simply surrender our communities to violence,” said the prosecutor.
Valentin said those involved in gangs represent a group of young people, “lacking in maturity.”
“It’s a volatile situation and innocent people can be caught in the proverbial crossfire. Simply not belonging to a gang doesn’t make one secure,” said Valentin.
Valentin said the investigation into the murder is ongoing. He would not disclose the location of the suspects and said they are being held in various locations, including Asbury Park.
All of the arrests, he said, were made in Asbury Park.
If convicted, all four defendants face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment with a 30-year stipulation before being eligible for parole. As a No Early Release crime defendants must serve 85 percent of any sentenced imposed.
Read more about your town by picking up The Coaster at your local newsstand or subscribe today.
Published every Thursday.
