LONG BRANCH — Three men have been charged in connection with the killing of 18-year-old Tristan Reeves earlier this year, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced.
Charged in the case are Aiden Terlecki, 19, of Middletown; Joshua Moore, 21, of Neptune Township; and Jahsaad M. Banks, 19, of Asbury Park. Each faces counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, as well as multiple weapons offenses and hindering charges.
Moore is also charged with second-degree certain persons not to possess a weapon, while Terlecki faces an additional charge of possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.
Authorities said Long Branch police responded around 12:30 p.m. on March 16 to reports of gunfire near the John R. Lewis Commons. Officers found Reeves suffering from gunshot wounds, and he was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died.
An investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Bureau and Long Branch Police led to the identification of the three suspects.
Moore was arrested in Neptune Township on October 2, and Banks, already in custody at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) on an unrelated matter, was charged soon after. Both men remain detained following a court hearing before Superior Court Judge Henry P. Butehorn on October 15.
Terlecki was taken into custody October 9 by Port Authority police in New York City, where he remains held pending extradition to New Jersey.
Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Bogner, director of the Major Crimes Bureau, is handling the case. Banks is represented by Lauren Musarra of Freehold, and Moore by Anthony Cherry of Eatontown. Terlecki’s legal representation has not been confirmed.
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact Prosecutor’s Office Detective Joseph Leon at 800-533-7443 or Long Branch Detective David Stone at 732-222-1000 ext. 1349.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
