Third Suspect Linked to 2016 Neptune Township Shooting, Charged with Felony Murder
In a significant development, a third suspect has been linked to a 2016 Neptune Township shooting that left a 20-year-old man dead, according to investigators. Stephon Keys, a 31-year-old resident of Neptune Township, has been charged with felony murder, armed robbery, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit robbery, and weapons-related offenses, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office announced on Friday. Keys was already incarcerated at a New Jersey state prison on unrelated charges.
You may also like to watch : Who Is Kamala Harris? Biography - Parents - Husband - Sister - Career - Indian - Jamaican Heritage
The other two suspects, Quashon J. McDuffie, 30, from Long Branch, and Knaliek Joshua, 31, from Asbury Park, were charged last month with felony murder, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, and weapons-related offenses for their roles in the deadly shooting, as stated by the office.
The incident took place on February 8, 2016, when officers from the Neptune Township Police Department were called to the 1300 block of 7th Avenue at 8:18 p.m. in response to a shooting. Upon arrival, they discovered Andre Thorne, a 20-year-old resident of Bradley Beach, in the driver’s seat of a 2002 red Dodge Neon with a gunshot wound. Thorne was immediately rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, but unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries.
Further investigation revealed that Thorne was accompanied by two other individuals in the car at the time of the shooting. This led to the arrest and charging of McDuffie and Joshua. The office later identified Stephon Keys as a third suspect, although it remains unclear if he was also present in the car.
In a shocking turn of events, another shooting incident occurred approximately 40 minutes later near the 1300 block of Monroe Avenue. Although no victims were found, evidence of a shooting was recovered, and it was discovered that a car had been struck twice near the 500 block of Myrtle Avenue, which intersects with Monroe Avenue.
You may also like to watch: Is US-NATO Prepared For A Potential Nuclear War With Russia - China And North Korea?
Keys has now been identified as a suspect in this second shooting as well, according to the office.
The investigation is still ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. If you have any details that may aid in this case, please contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Sergeant Keith Finkelstein at (732) 431-7160, ext. 3019 or Neptune Township Detective Carrie Bartlett at (732) 988-8000.
Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. For any inquiries, you may reach Chris Sheldon at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com..
