Monmouth County Man Charged In Shooting

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  FREEHOLD – A 45-year-old man has been charged with Reckless Manslaughter for shooting a man Sunday evening, officials said.

  Efrain Cruz Jr. of Freehold Borough was charged with second-degree Manslaughter after recklessly handling a firearm, which subsequently killed a man during a small gathering.

  The incident took place around 8:30 p.m. on McDermott Street. Officers from the Freehold Borough Police Department found the victim with a single gunshot wound. He was taken to taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.

  Cruz Jr. is being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institute (MCCI) pending a detention hearing.

  At this time, the incident is still under investigation. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Brian Hammarstrom at 800-533-7443 or Freehold Borough Detective Samuel Hernandez at 732-462-1233.

  Charges are merely accusations until proven in a court of law.