Gang member sentenced to life in prison for murder of Corona teen

CANTON OF MANCHESTER– For days after the murder of a 25-year-old mother, police kept quiet about the suspect wanted in her killing. Today, they announced that a manhunt has been launched for the gunman responsible for her death.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Manchester Township Police Chief Antonio Ellis announced that Maxwell Johnson, 35, of Manchester Township, is wanted for the murder of Gabriella Caroleo, 25, of Seaside Heights. The incident occurred on June 27, 2024, in Manchester Township.

On the day of the incident, at approximately 4:55 p.m., officers responded to a 911 call reporting a gunshot victim near Ridgeway Road and Hope Chapel Road. When they arrived, they found Ms. Caroleo with a gunshot wound to her abdomen. She was flown to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where she later died from her injuries.

Johnson has been charged with murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a certain person not possessing a weapon. Despite an extensive investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit, the Manchester Township Police Department, and the Ocean County Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Johnson remains at large and is considered a fugitive. A warrant has been issued for his arrest and his name has been entered into the National Crime Information Center database.

Prosecutor Billhimer highlighted the ongoing efforts to locate Johnson, saying, “We have worked diligently with our law enforcement partners to locate Johnson. Excellent teamwork has been demonstrated by all law enforcement agencies and officers involved in this investigation. We are focused on finding Johnson and taking him into custody.”

Authorities are urging anyone with information on the whereabouts of Maxwell Johnson to contact Detective Denis Mitchell of the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office at 732-929-2027, ext. 2476, or Detective Richard Conklin of the Manchester Township Police Department at 732-657-2009, ext. 4211.

Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Ellis commend the collaborative efforts of the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office High-Tech Crimes Unit, the Manchester Township Police Department, the Manchester Township Police Department Detective Bureau, the Ocean County Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and the United States Marshals Service in their pursuit of justice in this case.