Authorities said the shooting happened Friday morning at Route 37 and Garfield Avenue, and the investigation remains active.
TOMS RIVER, NJ — A person was fatally shot Friday morning in the parking lot of a Wawa convenience store in Toms River, prompting an investigation by local and county law enforcement agencies, authorities said.
The shooting occurred at about 7:20 a.m. Sept. 18 at the Wawa at the corner of Route 37 and Garfield Avenue, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. Authorities had not publicly identified the victim or announced an arrest as of Friday afternoon.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Department and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit are investigating the shooting. Billhimer described the case as an active and ongoing investigation and said more information would be released when it becomes available.
Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy told News 12 New Jersey that the victim was shot while inside a truck outside the convenience store. He said a suspect fled the area in a dark-colored sedan. Authorities had not released the identity of a suspect or provided a detailed description in the prosecutor’s initial public statement.
Police, fire and emergency medical crews responded to the scene after the shooting. News footage from the area showed law enforcement vehicles at the Wawa and police tape surrounding a pickup truck in the parking lot. Investigators had not publicly explained what happened before the shooting or disclosed a possible motive.
The Ocean County Sheriff’s Office issued an alert shortly after the shooting urging people to avoid the area of Route 37 and Garfield Avenue because of police activity, according to local reporting. Toms River Regional Schools Superintendent Michael Citta told Patch that nearby schools were operating normally and were not affected by the investigation.
Authorities have released few details about the victim. The prosecutor’s office did not provide the person’s name, age or hometown in its initial announcement. Officials also did not disclose whether investigators believe the victim and the person being sought knew each other.
The investigation remained active Friday. Authorities asked anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit at 732-929-2027 or the Toms River Township Police Department at 732-349-0150.
Author note: Last updated September 18, 2026.