Authorities in Toms River have closed a hookah lounge and fined its owner after a shooting left one dead and two injured.
The shooting occurred early Saturday morning at the Top Tier Hookah Lounge in the Silverton section of Toms River.
Friends and family have identified the murdered man as Nymea Tinsley. He was the father of five. Another victim is in critical condition, but a third victim was treated and released.
Toms River police say Top Tier has been under surveillance for some time. The business has been accused of selling alcohol without a license and promoting parties on social media to draw crowds. Saturday’s shooting was the final straw, with the owner being issued a fine and a summons and having to appear in court.
A vigil was held Monday night at Asbury Park, Tinsley’s hometown.
Tiana Shepherd is Tinsley’s childhood friend. She was in the lounge when the shooting happened.
“Look, having a good time with friends, seeing friends all night. Look, I turned around, it’s bullets. Everybody’s running left and right,” she says.
Shepard rushes to get out, but says he would have stayed if he had known Tinsley was injured.
“It was terrifying. It was chaos. That was all. It felt like being in a movie,” she says.
No arrests related to the shooting have been announced. Tinsley’s family wants justice. They want the public to come forward with any information.
“I don’t know if you passed the killer, ran with the killer, got in the car with the killer, or followed the killer, but someone knows the killer. I am,” said Pastor Ricky Donato. instead of family.
There are fears that the shooting will lead to further violence.
“Somebody knows something and we don’t have time to play the snitch game. His mother is hurt, his father is hurt, his children are hurt. We want justice.” ‘ says Donat.
Anyone who may have information is asked to contact the Toms River Police Department or the Ocean County Attorney’s Office.