Toms River, NJ — A late-night shooting outside a Hookah lounge that left one man dead and two others wounded has led to a 20-year state prison sentence for an Asbury Park man, prosecutors announced. The gunfire erupted around 1:20 a.m. on August 27, 2022, at Top Tier Hookah Lounge on Hooper Avenue, ending in a homicide and a multi-state manhunt.
Eric Manzanares, 26, was sentenced Friday in Ocean County Superior Court after pleading guilty to aggravated manslaughter and two counts of aggravated assault. Under New Jersey’s No Early Release Act (NERA), he must serve at least 85% of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
Shooting left one dead, two wounded
Police responding to reports of gunfire found three victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Authorities identified the victim who died as Nymere Tinsley, who was shot in the lower abdomen and later pronounced dead at Community Medical Center.
Two others survived the attack:
- Anthony Miller, 30, of Neptune Township, who suffered a gunshot wound to the stomach
- Jamal Bland, 26, of Asbury Park, who was shot in the elbow
Both were treated at Jersey Shore University Medical Center and released.
Investigators later determined that Manzanares was responsible for shooting all three victims.
Arrest followed multi-state search
Manzanares was initially charged the same day as the shooting, but fled New Jersey. Authorities issued a warrant and entered his information into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database.
He was ultimately captured on April 7, 2023, in Prince William County, Virginia, following coordination between multiple law enforcement agencies. After being held in Virginia, he was extradited back to Ocean County in January 2024, where he remained in custody.
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Key Points
• Eric Manzanares sentenced to 20 years for deadly 2022 Toms River shooting
• Victim Nymere Tinsley killed; two others injured and survived
• Defendant captured in Virginia after months on the run
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Sentence structure and additional charges
In addition to the 20-year sentence for aggravated manslaughter, Judge Guy P. Ryan imposed seven-year sentences for each aggravated assault count, though all sentences will run concurrently, not consecutively.
Manzanares pleaded guilty to all charges on February 27, 2026, avoiding a trial.
Prosecutor highlights investigation effort
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer credited the extensive investigation involving local, county, federal, and out-of-state agencies.
The case was handled by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, alongside Toms River Police, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshals, and Virginia law enforcement partners.
Current status
Manzanares remains in New Jersey State Prison serving his sentence, with parole eligibility subject to NERA requirements. The case is now closed following sentencing.
