Man Charged With Long Branch Murder Apprehended In Georgia

LONG BRANCH, NJ — A fugitive wanted for a fatal shooting in Long Branch one year ago was located in Georgia and arrested, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced Friday.

Raheem Montes, 25, of Long Branch, was wanted for the fatal shooting of Elijah Buffaloe, 31, also of Long Branch; the shooting happened last February.

Montes was arrested in Clayton County, Georgia this week, by police there.

Here are details on the fatal shooting last year: At approximately 1:30 a.m. Feb. 11, 2024, Long Branch Police responded to Brighton Avenue between Ocean Boulevard and 2nd Avenue for a report of a shooting. They found Buffaloe, struck by gunfire.

He was taken to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Montes was identified as the initial shooter, said police. Moments after the shooting, gunfire was exchanged between other individuals, resulting in a second person, a 32-year-old male resident of Brick Township (Ocean County), being injured.

He took himself to a local hospital for treatment and was subsequently released.

Montes was charged with first-degree Murder, second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (firearm), and second-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose. 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.