Ocean County Prosecutor Brad Billhimer and Manchester Township Police Chief Antonio Ellis announced that Maxwell Johnston, 35, of Manchester Township, has been charged with Murder, in connection with the shooting death of Gabriella Caroleo, 25, of Seaside Heights, in Manchester Township on June 27.

Johnston was also charged with Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon, all arising out of the same incident.

On June 27, 2024, at approximately 4:55 p.m., Officers from the Manchester Township Police Department responded to the area of Ridgeway Road and Hope Chapel Road in reference to a 911 call reporting a gunshot victim. Responding Officers discovered  Ms. Caroleo with a gunshot wound to her stomach. Ms. Caroleo was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where she succumbed to her injuries.

A thorough and extensive investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Manchester Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, has revealed that Johnson was the individual responsible for the death of Ms. Caroleo.

Johnston has not yet been taken into custody, and is considered a fugitive from justice.  As such, a warrant for his arrest has been issued and his name has been entered in the National Crime Information Center database.  

“We have been working diligently with our law enforcement partners to locate Johnson.  Great teamwork has been exhibited by all of the respective law enforcement agencies and officers involved in this investigation.  We are focused on finding Johnson and bring him into custody.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Maxwell Johnson should contact Detective Denis Mitchell of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027, extension 2476, or Detective Richard Conklin of the Manchester Township Police Department at 732-657-2009, extension 4211,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated.

Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Ellis commend the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Manchester Township Police Department, Manchester Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and United States Marshals Service, for their continuing and combined efforts in connection with this investigation.