Victims ID'd In Lakewood Double Homicide

Lakewood NJ

19 December, 2021

1:35 PM

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LAKEWOOD, NJ — A Toms River man has been charged with two counts of murder in connection with the shooting deaths of two men early Sunday in Lakewood, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said. Tyshaun Drummond, 39, was arrested outside the apartment complex Sunday after police responded to a 7:20 a.m. call about gunshots, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. He is accused of shooting and killing Nicholas Hardy, 36, of Toms River, and Sergio Chavez-Perez, 32, of Lakewood, the prosecutor said. Police responding to the call were given a description of a suspect, who was later identified as Drummond, and found him in front of the apartment complex on River Avenue, Billhimer said. Drummond refused an order from police to get on the ground and officers used a taser to subdue him, the prosecutor said. Drummond is in custody at a local hospital, he said. Police found Hardy and Chavez-Perez dead in the apartment building, and both had been shot in the head, Billhimer said. Lakewood Capt. Gregory Staffordsmith said the complex was the Brentwood Apartments on River Avenue. Investigators identified Drummond as the person responsible for their deaths, Billhimer said. The Major Crime unit of the prosecutor's office, Lakewood police and the Ocean County Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit responded and the investigation is continuing, he said. "The deaths of these two men are senseless and tragic," Billhimer said. "The responding Lakewood Township Police Officers should be commended for their bravery and their use of less than lethal force in taking Drummond into custody. They prevented a bad situation from getting worse." Drummond has been charged with two counts of murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, and burglary, Billhimer said. Billhimer praised the efforts of authorities in the quick apprehension of Drummond. He said the investigation is active and ongoing. Have a news tip? Email [email protected] Follow Lakewood Patch on Facebook.