Stabbing info Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announces that Garret Latorre, age 18, of Toms River, has been charged with Attempted Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C: 11-3a(1), Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5, Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana in a Quantity of Less Than One Ounce (THC Vape Cartridges) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C: 35-5b(12) and Possession of Less Than Fifty Grams of Marijuana (THC Vape Cartridges) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C: 35-10a(4).

On April 6, 2019. Toms River Township Police were dispatched to the parking lot of K-Mart on Route 37 in Toms River for a report of an altercation wherein a male had been stabbed. Police arrived and found the victim to be conscious with multiple stab wounds to his leg, stomach and chest. The victim was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for emergency surgery.

Detectives from the Toms River Police Department were able to determine through their investigation the make, model and license plate of a vehicle used by Latorre to flee the scene. The vehicle was traced back to an address in Toms River where Latorre was located. Latorre, with blood on his hands, was taken into custody. Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and Toms River Police Department obtained a search warrant for the residence. Upon the execution of the search warrant, Detectives were able to recover Latorre’s bloody clothes and a knife believed to be used in the commission of the crime. Further investigation revealed that Latorre, the victim and another individual had been involved in a transaction wherein Latorre was selling the victim THC vaping cartridges and ultimately had a disagreement regarding same.

Latorre is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing. The victim underwent successful surgery and is in stable condition.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Toms River Police Chief Mitchell A. Little praise the response and efforts of the Detectives from the Toms River Police Department and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit.