10-year-old murder victim, mother identified in Freehold, N.J.

FREEHOLD, N.J. (WTXF) - The victims of the shooting in Asbury Park Wednesday evening are being identified following notification and consultation with the family, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Yovanni Banos-Merino, 10, died from a gunshot wound sustained Wednesday evening at his Ridge Avenue home. His mother, Lilia Merino, 38, also sustained injuries but was treated and released from Jersey Shore University Medical center in Neptune Township.

A Neptune Township teen was arrested without incident and charged Thursday for his role in the shooting death of the child and wounding of the victim's mother in Asbury Park.

Asbury Park police responded to a 911 call around 10:40 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 21, reporting shots fired at a home in the 400 block of Ridge Avenue in the city.

Police arrived to find the 10-year-old child and his 39-year-old mother had been struck with gunshot wounds. The child's mother was treated and released for her injuries, however, the child died.

At this point in the investigation, it appears that neither the 10-year-old child nor his mother were the intended victims of this shooting. The intended target was another occupant also present within the home.

The juvenile is charged with Murder, Aggravated Assault, and other related charges.

Investigators are seeking the assistance of the public to identify other(s) who may have been involved in this criminal conspiracy. Anyone with information about this case is urged to call Detective Brian Weisbrot of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office at 800-533-7443 or Detective Sean DeShader of the Asbury Park Police Department at 732-774-1300.