Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Toms River Police Chief Mitch Little announced this morning an active investigation into the death of a male, 30 years of age, of Brick, NJ, at the Hampton Garden Apartments in Toms River.

On Monday, at approximately 9:20 pm, the Toms River Police Department and local EMS responded to a 911 call at the Hampton Garden Apartments, 26 James Street, Building “D. Upon their arrival, they found the above unresponsive victim of a gunshot wound. Victim was subsequently pronounced deceased at 10:34 pm at the scene. The officers immediately secured the scene and contacted the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Major Crimes Unit and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CIU to respond.

An autopsy is being conducted this morning to determine the cause and manner of death.

Anyone with information regarding the investigation can contact OCPO Major Crime Detective John Carroll Jr. at 732-929-2027 Ext. 3964 or TRPD Criminal Investigation Bureau Detective Louis Santora 732-349-0150 Ext. 1276. All information will be kept completely confidential and can be reported anonymously.

UPDATE WEDNESDAY 9:30 AM: After notification of next of kin, the victim in the Hampton Garden Apartments shooting is identified as Steven E. Stallworth, 30, of Brick, NJ. The Ocean County Medical Examiner completed an autopsy yesterday and determined the victim died as a result of a single gunshot wound and ruled the manner of death a homicide. Again, investigators encourage anyone who may have witnessed the event or have information regarding the shooting to please come forward.

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