Man arrested for 2024 fatal shooting of New Jersey man

A New Jersey fugitive wanted in the 2024 fatal shooting of Elijah Buffaloe in Long Branch, N.J. has been arrested in Georgia, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said.

Raheem D. Montes, 25, was arrested in Clayton County, Georgia by local authorities, according to the prosecutor. He is charged with first-degree murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon (firearm), and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

Elijah Buffaloe shooting

Around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, authorities responded to the area of Brighton Avenue between Ocean Boulevard and 2nd Avenue for a report of a shooting, Santiago said. There, they found a 31-year-old male resident of Long Branch who had been shot.

The male, identified as Elijah Buffaloe, also of Long Branch, was transported to a local hospital, where he would later succumb to his injuries.

The investigation identified Montes as the initial shooter. Moments after the shooting, gunfire was exchanged between other individuals, resulting in a second person, a 32-year-old male resident of Brick Township, N.J., being injured. That individual transported himself to a local hospital for treatment and was subsequently released.

Path forward

Montes remains in custody in Georgia awaiting extradition, pending proceedings to be held in Monmouth County Superior Court.

Anyone with information about this matter is being asked to contact MCPO Detective Josh Rios at 800-533-7443 or Long Branch Police Department Detective Joe Pannullo at 732-222-1000.