TOMS RIVER, NJ – Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that 47-year-old Gardin A. Guevara-Umanzor of Howell Township was found guilty on multiple charges, including burglary, aggravated assault, and weapons offenses, following a four-week jury trial before Superior Court Judge Kenneth T. Palmer.
He has an active ICE detainer on record, according to the agency.
The jury determined that on October 13, 2024, Guevara-Umanzor unlawfully entered a Jackson Township residence, pointed a handgun at one of the occupants, and fired multiple rounds into the home, which was occupied by several adults and two children. No fatalities were reported.
Guevara-Umanzor was convicted of burglary, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, aggravated assault, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. He faces up to 10 years in state prison for burglary, subject to the No Early Release Act, 10 years for each weapons offense, five years for each child endangerment charge, and 18 months for aggravated assault. Sentencing is scheduled for March 27, 2026.
Investigators determined that after Guevara-Umanzor fired the first of five shots, one of the occupants tried to disarm him, leading to a struggle on the ground while he continued firing. Other residents intervened, and Guevara-Umanzor eventually dropped the gun and fled to a neighboring residence, where he was taken into custody without incident.
He has remained in the Ocean County Jail since his arrest. Immigration authorities identified Guevara-Umanzor as being in the country illegally.
Prosecutor Billhimer credited Senior Assistant Prosecutor Victoria Veni and Assistant Prosecutor Emma Hurst for trying the case, and thanked the Jackson Township Police Department, New Jersey State Police, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Trial Team Squad for their coordinated efforts.