Yellow law enforcement tape isolating crime scene. Blurred view of city, toned in red and blue police car lights
Yellow law enforcement tape isolating crime scene. Blurred view of city, toned in red and blue police car lights

Three charged in deadly South Jersey shooting that left 20-year-old man dead gunshot wound to head

Posted by
1 min read
August 17, 2025

Millville, NJ – Authorities have charged three individuals in connection with the fatal shooting of Thomas Smith III, 20, who was gunned down Friday evening near High and Oak Streets in Millville, the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office announced Sunday.

Police responded to the area around 6:53 p.m. and discovered Smith suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. He later died from his injuries.

Following an investigation led by the Millville Police Department and the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office, three suspects were identified and charged in connection with Smith’s death: Jequise R. Forrest, 19, of Millville; Alonzo E. Mincey, 19, of Vineland; and Jerramiah Michael, whose age and hometown were not disclosed in the release.

All three face multiple charges, including first-degree murder and first-degree conspiracy to commit murder.

Forrest faces the most extensive list of charges, including six additional counts ranging from aggravated assault to unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a high-capacity magazine. Mincey was charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy. Details on the charges against Michael were not outlined in the initial release.

Officials did not comment on a motive for the killing, and it remains unclear how the suspects and the victim knew each other.

The investigation is ongoing.

––

Key Points

  • Thomas Smith III, 20, was fatally shot in the head Friday evening in Millville
  • Three individuals were charged with murder and conspiracy in connection with his death
  • The suspects include Jequise R. Forrest, Alonzo E. Mincey, and Jerramiah Michael

Three face murder charges after 20-year-old shot in head in Millville

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.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Don't Miss

Exit mobile version