Three teens indicted in deadly jersey shore pier village boardwalk shooting
LONG BRANCH, NJ - JUL 16: Pier Village at Long Branch in New Jersey, USA, as seen on July 16, 2016. Long Branch takes its name from the "long branch" or south branch of the Shrewsbury River.

Three teens indicted in deadly Jersey Shore Pier Village boardwalk shooting

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1 min read
February 9, 2026

FREEHOLD, NJ – A Monmouth County grand jury has indicted three young men in connection with the fatal June 2025 shooting of an 18-year-old North Brunswick resident at Long Branch’s Pier Village, prosecutors announced Monday.

Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said Dwayne Exilus, 19, Isaiah Z. Walker, 19, and Jahbron J. Goff, 18, have been charged in the killing of Chrystofer A. Whyte, who was shot once and died at the scene near the Chelsea Avenue beach on June 12, 2025.

Goff, whose name was previously withheld because he was a minor at the time of the incident, was indicted on charges including first-degree murder and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Exilus and Walker each face charges of second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, third-degree hindering the apprehension of another, and related conspiracy counts.

Police responded around 8:58 p.m. after reports of gunfire between the boardwalk and shoreline, finding Whyte suffering from a single gunshot wound. Despite emergency efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to investigators with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Bureau and the Long Branch Police Department, Goff was identified as the shooter. Exilus, Walker, and another juvenile allegedly helped conceal his involvement and were also charged with unlawful firearm possession.

Key details from the case:

  • Victim: Chrystofer A. Whyte, 18, of North Brunswick.
  • Incident: June 12, 2025, near Pier Village in Long Branch.
  • Lead defendant: Jahbron Goff charged with murder and weapons offenses.
  • Co-defendants: Dwayne Exilus and Isaiah Walker charged with conspiracy and hindering.

The investigation involved multiple law enforcement partners, including the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force and local police departments from Woodbridge, Linden, and Metuchen.

Assistant Prosecutors Matthew Bogner and Janine Delucia are handling the case for the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. Goff is represented by Anthony Aldorasi, Esq., Exilus by Emeka Nkowa, Esq., and Walker by Daniel Welsh, Esq.

All defendants remain presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

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