3 men indicted for Long Branch, N.J. homicide

FREEHOLD – A Monmouth County Grand Jury has indicted three men in connection with the fatal shooting of Long Branch, N.J. native 18‑year‑old Tristan Reeves earlier this year, Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced Tuesday.

Long Branch Homicide Suspects Charged

Aiden Terlecki, 19, of Middletown; Joshua Moore, 21, of Neptune Township; and Jahsaad M. Banks, 19, of Asbury Park face multiple charges.

Prosecutors charged each man with first‑degree murder, first‑degree conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, two counts of possession of a firearm for unlawful purposes, and three counts of hindering.

Moore also faces one count of certain persons not to possess a weapon.

Shooting in Long Branch claims life of Tristan Reeves

On Sunday, March 16, at approximately 12:34 p.m., Long Branch Police responded to reports of gunfire near the John R. Lewis Commons. Officers found Reeves suffering from gunshot wounds.

He was rushed to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

Long Branch Homicide Investigation and Arrests

An investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Bureau and Long Branch Police identified Terlecki, Moore, and Banks as suspects.

Port Authority Police arrested Terlecki on October 9, and he remains in custody at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI).

Meanwhile, officers took Moore into custody on October 2 in Neptune Township without incident, and he remains held at MCCI pending court proceedings.

Authorities already detained Banks at MCCI on an unrelated matter.

Court Proceedings

On October 15, Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Henry P. Butehorn ordered Moore and Banks detained. Terlecki remains held without release.

Assistant Prosecutors Matthew Bogner, Director of the Major Crimes Bureau, and Christopher Dize of the Trial Division are handling the case.

Defense Counsel

Lauren Musarra of Freehold represents Banks. Anthony Cherry of Eatontown represents Moore. Mitchell Ansell of Ocean Township represents Terlecki.

Tristan Reeves of Long Branch Family Statement

According to a GoFundMe organized by loved ones, the Reeves/Ponder family described Tristan as “the joy of their family.” They called him a loving son, brother, grandson, cousin, and friend. His death, they said, stripped him of many years and left them inconsolable.

Despite the charges, all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.