Toms River Shuts Down Hookah Lounge Where Fatal Shooting Occurred: ‘Safety and Code’ Violations

Top Tier Hookha, Toms River. (Photo: Top Tier Hookha/ Facebook)

Toms River officials shut down a Silverton business where a triple shooting occurred over the weekend, saying it was in violation of safety and zoning codes.

The municipal government revoked the certificate of occupancy of Top Tier Hookha for multiple zoning, safety and code violations at its location at 1783 Hooper Avenue. Mayor Maurice “Mo” Hill’s office confirmed the shutdown, and notices issued under the state’s Uniform Construction Code were seen posted to the front door Monday.

Hill said the business had already been under investigation by the township’s Quality of Life Task Force after multiple complaints had been filed against the business by residents and neighbors.

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“The task force found several violations and instructed the business owners to bring the establishment into compliance,” Hill said. “Those instructions were ignored.  The investigation into Saturday’s shooting confirmed that the business owners were operating in violation of their approved status as a retail-only establishment and likely made false or misleading statements on their zoning application.”

The revocation of the business’s certificate of occupancy means it cannot open to the public or operate out of the Hooper Avenue location.

In addition to being shut down, the business owner and property owner have been issued a fine of $4,500 and a summons which is answerable in Toms River Municipal Court on Sept. 12.

The shooting just before midnight Saturday left three people shot, one of whom was pronounced dead at Community Medical Center. The identities of the victims have not been released by authorities, however it has been widely reported that the victim who died was identified by friends and relatives as Nymere Tinsley, of Asbury Park. News12 reported a vigil was held for Tinsley in his hometown following the shooting.

In addition to the 29-year-old who died, another 29-year-old victim was in critical condition at an undisclosed hospital and a third victim, who was 25-years-old, survived and was released from the hospital. No arrests, nor suspects, have been announced by authorities.