A Jackson Township woman has pleaded guilty after authorities said she shot a 79-year-old man in the shoulder and fled the scene, leading to her arrest less than an hour later.
A Jackson Township woman has admitted to aggravated assault in connection with the shooting of a 79-year-old man at a residence on Jackson Pines Road, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced.
Marian Rojas, 34, entered a guilty plea Monday before Superior Court Judge Kenneth T. Palmer. As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors will seek a seven-year New Jersey State Prison sentence when Rojas is sentenced on Aug. 24.
Victim shot at Jackson Pines Road home
The shooting occurred at approximately 9:15 p.m. on Oct. 24, when officers from the Jackson Township Police Department responded to a report of a gunshot victim at a residence on Jackson Pines Road.
Upon arrival, officers found a 79-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to his shoulder.
The victim was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River for treatment of what authorities described as minor injuries. He was later released from the hospital.
Suspect arrested after traffic stop
Investigators determined that Rojas was the person responsible for the shooting and that she fled the scene after the incident.
A description of Rojas and her vehicle was broadcast to surrounding law enforcement agencies. At approximately 10 p.m., officers with the Manchester Township Police Department stopped a vehicle matching the description.
“Manchester Township Police effectuated a motor vehicle stop on a vehicle matching the description of Rojas’ vehicle — with Rojas as the operator,” prosecutors said.
Rojas was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Ocean County Jail, where she has remained detained since her arrest.
Prosecutor cites victim’s request for mercy
Under the plea agreement, the State will seek a seven-year prison term subject to New Jersey’s No Early Release Act, which requires offenders to serve a substantial portion of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
“This plea agreement was reached only after extensive discussions with the victim who expressed an unequivocal desire to extend mercy to this defendant,” Prosecutor Billhimer said.
“But for the victim’s compassionate and forgiving nature, this plea agreement would have never been contemplated by the State — let alone approved.”
Billhimer added that Rojas “should consider herself very fortunate that the victim — in a show of tremendous empathy — requested that this case be resolved in this manner.”
Sentencing scheduled for August
Rojas is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 24 in Ocean County Superior Court.
The aggravated assault conviction stems from the October 2025 shooting investigation conducted by the Jackson Township Police Department and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
Key Points
• Marian Rojas, 34, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault for shooting a 79-year-old man in Jackson Township.
• The victim suffered a gunshot wound to the shoulder and was treated and released from a hospital.
• Prosecutors will seek a seven-year state prison sentence at Rojas’ Aug. 24 sentencing hearing.
