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A suspect has been arrested and charged with a shooting Wednesday night in the area of Mattison and Dewitt avenues, according to Detective Captain Anthony Salerno.

James Scott, 24, of Asbury Park has been charged with attempted murder, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, Salerno said. Bail was set at $600,000, with no 10 percent option, he said.

Scott is “a known Blood street gang member,” Salerno alleged in an interview early Thursday afternoon.

[Later in the day, Salerno was quoted in another publication stating he does not believe the shooting itself was gang-related. Salerno confirmed that statement to the Sun Friday morning.]

Police responded after receiving multiple 911 calls at 10:24 p.m., with a least one caller stating they heard shots fired in the area of Mattison and DeWitt, Salerno said.

While police were en route, they located the gunshot victim in the 200 block of Elizabeth Avenue, he said. The victim, a thirty three year old resident of the city, was transported to Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune, Salerno said. He is listed in good condition with a single gunshot wound that is not considered life-threatening, he said.

The victim stated he was walking in the area of Mattison and DeWitt when a black SUV rode by and fired a single shot, striking him, Salerno said.

Shortly after 6 a.m. Thursday morning, while on routine patrol, Officer Kamil Warraich located a person in a vehicle near the location of the shooting who fit the description of the shooter, said Salerno. The investigation continued with Detective Darrius Davis of the Asbury Park Police Department, along with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, he said.

Scott was initially arrested on charges unrelated to the shooting, Salerno said. He declined to state those charges. “As a result of follow-up investigation, James Scott was charged with the shooting at Mattison and Dewitt,” Salerno said.

There may be additional charges filed as the investigation continues, Salerno said.

[UPDATE: This post was updated to add the statement of Detective Captain Anthony Salerno, as quoted later in another publication, that he does not believe the shooting itself was gang-related. This post was also updated to add Salerno’s confirmation of that statement to the Sun.]

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