A juvenile and an adult male have been charged in connection with the shooting death of a North Brunswick man from earlier this month in Long Branch at Pier Village, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Monday.

The juvenile defendant, whose name is being withheld due to his age, is currently being held at a juvenile detention center and has been served with juvenile complaints that include Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Possession of a Prohibited Weapon and Hindering, in connection with the shooting death of Chrystofer A. Whyte, 18.

Dwayne Exilus, 18, of Woodbridge, was charged with second-degree Conspiracy to Commit Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (handgun), second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, third-degree Hindering, and one count of fourth-degree Possession of a Prohibited Weapon.

On Thursday evening, June 12, 2025, at approximately 8:58 p.m., members of the Long Branch Police Department responded to the beach area between the shoreline and the boardwalk of Pier Village for a report of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers discovered an adult male victim, suffering from a single gunshot wound.

The victim, later identified as Whyte, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

An investigation involving members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office – Major Crimes Bureau and the Long Branch Police Department is currently ongoing.

The Prosecutor’s Office and Long Branch Police Department extend their sincere thanks to the following agencies that assisted in the investigation including: the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, as well as the municipal police departments of Woodbridge, Linden and Metuchen.

Anyone who may have information regarding this incident is urged to contact MCPO Detective Thomas Manzo at 800-533-7443 or Long Branch Police Detective Joseph Spitale at 732-222-1000 Ext 1339.