Handcuffs (Shorebeat File Photo/ banspy/ Flickr)
A 27-year-old Lakewood man has been charged in the shooting of a toddler in Asbury Park.
Prosecutors in Monmouth County on Thursday said Sciaire N. Jackson, 27, of Lakewood, has been arrested and charged with first degree attempted murder, second degree aggravated assault, second degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second degree unlawful possession of a weapon and second degree possession of a weapon by a convicted offender.
According to police, at approximately 1:35 p.m. Tuesday, August 18, a 4-year-old child was shot while sitting outside her family’s Asbury Park home with other family members on Boston Way, a residential village. The child was shot in the upper thigh area, breaking the femur bone. Physicians treating the child have deemed the injury as serious, but non-life threatening.
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Prosecutors allege that Jackson rode up on a bicycle and began firing a handgun at several people located outside of an apartment. The child was simply playing outside and was not the intended target, they believe. A second person returned fire at Jackson, however that person has not has not yet been identified.
Lakewood police assisted in the investigation, a statement from prosecutors said.
The case is being investigated by members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Asbury Park Police Department. Anyone with information about the case is urged to call Detective William Anton of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 1-800-533-7443 or Asbury Park Police Detective Dillon Gourley at 1-732-774-1300.
Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about a crime can submit a tip to Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling their confidential telephone tip-line at 1-800-671-4400; or by downloading and using the free P3 Tips mobile app.
If convicted of Attempted Murder, Jackson faces up to 20 years in a New Jersey state prison without the possibility of parole until he serves 85 percent of a potential sentence.
A photo of Jackson was not available.
