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A 19-year-old has been arrested in connection with the Oct 15 shooting of two people in Asbury Park, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni has announced.

Marcus Paschal, 19, of Neptune, is charged with two counts of first degree attempted murder, second degree unlawful possession of a weapon and second degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, in connection with the shooting of 18-year old Xavier Harbison and a juvenile male, both of Asbury Park.

The shootings took place inside the Asbury Park Gardens [formerly known as Stephen Manor] residential housing complex, officials said.  Asbury Park Police responded near 9:08 pm to a call for shots fired in the area of 1100 Atlantic Ave.

Upon arrival, officers located a juvenile victim suffering from a single gunshot injury to his side. The victim was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for treatment. Shortly thereafter, another victim, Xavier Harbison, was admitted at the same hospital seeking treatment for a single gunshot injury to his left hand.

A joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Asbury Park Police Department began, which led to the identification of Marcus Paschal as the suspect responsible for the shootings. Paschal was arrested on Oct 30  without incident.

While Xavier Harbison was treated and released from the hospital, the juvenile sustained a spinal cord injury that has left him paralyzed throughout the lower half of his body, officials said.

The investigation was led by Det Brian Weisbrot of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and Det Thomas Gogan of the Asbury Park Police Department.

Paschal is scheduled for a Nov 5 first appearance and detention hearing before Judge Ellen Torregrossa-O’Connor. The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Bogner.

If convicted of the two counts of attempted murder, Paschal faces 40 years, subject to the provisions of the No Early Release Act [NERA]. The provision would require him to serve 85 percent of an imposed sentence before becoming eligible for parole, as well as  five years supervision upon release. If convicted of the, Paschal faces a up to 10 years for each of the second degree weapons offenses.

Anyone with information about this shooting is urged to call Det Weisbrot at 1-800-533-7443 or Det Gogan at 732-774-1300, officials said.

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