Man Shot Dead After Argument Escalates At Jersey Shore Home: Officials

WILDWOOD CREST, NJ — A Wildwood Crest man is charged with murder after he allegedly shot and killed another man during an argument, the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office said.

When police responded to the East Cresse Avenue home on Feb. 12 shortly before 4 p.m., they learned that the accused shooter was still inside the house, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland and Chief Robert Lloyd of the Wildwood Crest Police Department said in a joint release.

Inside, officers found Carmine Neri, 63, in the living room, authorities said. Neri had a black and silver handgun in his back pocket and was immediately taken into custody.

Joseph Falciani was lying at the top of the staircase with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to his chest, authorities said. Life-saving measures were taken but Falciani was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.

Two witnesses told officers that Neri and Falciani had been arguing, and that argument had escalated to the second floor of the residence. They then heard a single gunshot and saw Falciani lying at the top of the staircase while Neri held a firearm, officials said. Additional testimony and forensic evidence further supported this, officials said.

A search found a spent shell casing, a projectile and multiple electronic devices, authorities said.

Investigators also noted that an office door near the shooting scene was locked and displayed damage consistent with being forcibly kicked in.

A child was also present during the shooting, according to authorities.

Neri was charged with murder, endangering the welfare of a child and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. He now sits in the Cape May County Correctional facility.