Boardwalk Evacuated, Quadruple Shooting, Swimmer Drowns: NJ Weekend

NEW JERSEY — A boardwalk was evacuated and a man drowned while swimming in the lake over the weekend. Here are the reports:

Jersey Shore Amusement Pier Evacuated

A Jersey Shore amusement pier in North Wildwood was temporarily evacuated on Saturday after law enforcement agencies conducted an investigation.

Surfside Pier, which is part of Morey's Piers was temporarily shut down by the North Wildwood Police Department after a man was found brandishing a gun in the area, 6ABC Philadelphia reported.

"Our evacuation was precautionary and in cooperation with a request of the NWPD for a short period while they investigated a matter unrelated to the pier, boardwalk, any of our guests or employees," Morey's Piers said in a statement. "We appreciate that the NWPD acted out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety of all our guests and employees."

Man Drowns While Swimming In Lake

A man from Howell Township drowned Saturday morning while swimming in Crystal Lake at the Heritage Minerals site in Manchester, police said.

Edwin Toro-Mejia, 33, and several others unlawfully entered the private, 7,000-acre quarry around 9:30 a.m. to go swimming in Crystal Lake, police said. As Toro-Mejia attempted to swim across the lake, he suffered a muscle cramp in his leg about 30 yards from shore. Family members tried to aid Toro-Mejia, who eventually disappeared underwater, according to police.

Manchester police and several other agencies responded to the quarry to conduct search and rescue operations. Toro-Mejia's body was found around an hour and a half later. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said it appeared Toro-Mejia died of accidental drowning.

The Heritage Minerals site is privately owned and marked with "No Trespassing" signs. Police have repeatedly warned people to stay away from the property because the lakes — which resulted when mining at the site reached groundwater aquifers — are dangerous. The water is mineral-laden from the aquifers, extremely cold, and the sandy shoreline around the lakes is very unstable and soft, police said.

Motorcyclist Killed In Crash

A 59-year-old motorcyclist was killed when his vehicle hit a guardrail in Galloway Township, police said.

On Sunday, around 12:17 a.m., Officers from the Galloway Township Police Department responded to East Moss Mill Road near the intersection of Sander Place for the report of an accident involving a motorcycle. On arrival, police found Joseph Stetser, 59, of Absecon and a 2006 Harley Davidson in the roadway. Stetser suffered life-threatening injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene, police said.

According to initial investigation, Stetser was traveling westbound on E. Moss Mill Road when he struck the guardrail just west of the intersection of Sander Place. On striking the guardrail, Stetser was ejected from his motorcycle.

There were no witnesses to the crash, and the accident remains under investigation. Anyone with information regarding the accident is asked to contact Officer Nicholas Stewart at 609-652-3705 extension 5107.

Multiple Shooting Leaves 4 Injured

A multiple shooting incident on Sunday has left four people injured in Trenton, according to media reports.

Shortly after 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, shots were fired in the area of Walnut Avenue and Monmouth Street, with four people suffering from injuries and two still remaining in hospital with multiple gunshot wounds, reported LeighValleyLive.

One victim is reported to be in an "extremely critical condition," while the second person was listed in stable condition.

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