A judge on Friday rejected a request to reduce the $1 million bail for a homeless man accused of shooting two Lakewood teenagers, killing one and wounding the other (as first reported here on TLS). In denying the request, Superior Court Judge Wendel E. Daniels cited Jamil Parson’s homelessness, his lengthy record of prior criminal offenses, a history of marijuana abuse and his lack of employment. Parson, 28, whose street name is “Animal,” is charged with the execution-style murder of Luis Enrique Garcia, 17, and the attempted murder of Garcia’s cousin, Fernando Reyes, 16.

Authorities have alleged that Parson was seeking to settle an unspecified score when he opened fire on the two teenagers around midnight on Dec. 4 outside the Woodlake Manor apartment complex in Lakewood as the victims were walking home from a convenience store.

Reyes flagged down a motorist who took him to Kimball Medical Center in Lakewood, where he alerted police about Garcia. Police found Garcia’s lifeless body in a wooded area near the apartment complex. Garcia had been shot in the head.

Parson was arrested Dec. 29 and charged in the case. His attorney, Mark Fury, asked Daniels to reduce his bail, saying “as currently set, it is well beyond the means of anybody associated with him.”

Assistant Ocean County Prosecutor Michelle Armstrong said Parson had been released from state prison just months before the double shooting.

“The victims’ families are fearful and concerned about him being out on the street,” Armstrong said.

Daniels, in denying the bail reduction, noted Parson was recently in state prison for a drug offense. He has other criminal convictions, as a juvenile and adult, for drug offenses, thefts, receiving stolen property, simple assault and joyriding. Kathleen Hopkins/APP