Police Investigate Double Homicide in Neptune
By TOM CARDINALE
Columbus Avenue in Neptune was littered with shell casings and police evidence markers Tuesday morning as officers investigated a Monday night shooting that left two residents dead.
Tiffany Watkins, 26, and Derrell Alexander, 27, both of Columbus Ave., Neptune were killed this week in their neighborhood after gunshots were fired at approximately 10:30 p.m.
Both were transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center with multiple gunshot wounds late Monday. They were pronounced dead shortly after 11 p.m.
Residents said the couple had been together several years.
Authorities have yet to name any suspects in the murders and when asked if the shootings may potentially have been gang related, Monmouth County First Assistant Prosecutor Peter Warshaw would only say, “No possibility has been ruled out and the investigation is ongoing.”
An unidentified neighbor of the victims also stated that she believed the shootings may have been gang related.
A neighbor at 1805 Bangs Ave., one block away from the shooting, said, “The detectives came over and said it was about 20 rounds but we didn’t hear anything.”
Despite the report of numerous rounds being fired, some neighbors did not report seeing or hearing anything unusual and most said they did not know the couple very well.
One resident of the neighborhood, who would not give a name, said following the shooting a man with dreadlocks attempted a forced entry into a home on the street.
Neptune Police and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office are asking for the public’s help in identifying potential suspects in these killings. Any information regarding the shootings should be directed to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 1-800-533-7443 or Det. Philip Seidle of the Neptune Township Police Dept. at 732-988-8000 ext. 423.
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