TOMS RIVER – A Monmouth County fugitive responsible for killing a man at a hookah lounge has been extradited to New Jersey, officials said.
Eric Manzanares, 24, of Asbury Park, has been extradited from Prince William County, Virginia, to Ocean County, New Jersey, in connection with the murder of Nymere Tinsley, 25, of Brick Township. Manzanares is presently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
The shooting occurred around 1:20 a.m. on August 27, 2022 at the Top Tier Hookah Lounge located at 1769 Hooper Avenue in Toms River.
Police said Tinsley suffered a gunshot wound to his lower abdomen and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The two other victims, Anthony Miller, 29, of Neptune Township, and Jamal Bland, 24, of Asbury Park, were brought to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for treatment. Miller suffered a gunshot wound to the stomach and was released after treatment. Bland suffered a gunshot wound to his elbow and was also released after treatment.
According to authorities, Manzanares was found responsible for the shooting of all three victims.
Manzanares was charged with Murder, Attempted Murder, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. A warrant for Manzanares’ arrest was issued on that date, and his name was entered in the National Crime Information Center database.
On April 7, 2023, Manzanares was apprehended by law enforcement in Prince William County, Virginia. Manzanares was lodged in the Prince William-Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center in Manassas, Virginia, and finally extradited to Ocean County on January 24.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer acknowledges the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Department, Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Asbury Park Police Department, United States Marshals Service, and Prince William County (Virginia) Police Department, for their combined and collective efforts in connection with this investigation leading to Manzanares’ apprehension and extradition to New Jersey.
The charges referenced are merely accusations and the public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
