Crime
Wildwood Crest Man Arrested for Murder Following Deadly Shooting
Wildwood Crest, NJ – Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland and Wildwood Crest Police Chief Robert Lloyd have announced the arrest of Carmine Neri, 63, in connection with the fatal shooting of Joseph Falciani.
On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at approximately 3:46 PM, officers from the Wildwood Crest Police Department responded to a residence on East Cresse Avenue following a 911 report of a gunshot victim.
Upon arrival, officers spoke with the 911 caller, who was waiting outside and informed them that the suspect was still inside the residence.
Officers entered the home and encountered Carmine Neri standing in the front living room. A black and silver handgun was observed in Neri’s back right jeans pocket, which was immediately secured by law enforcement. Neri was taken into custody at the scene.
Further inside the residence, officers discovered Joseph Falciani lying on his back at the top of a staircase with an apparent gunshot wound to the chest. Despite life-saving efforts, Falciani was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Detectives from the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and Wildwood Crest Police Department launched an extensive investigation, including:
- Witness interviews
- Forensic evidence collection
- Execution of search warrants
Two witnesses present at the time of the incident told investigators that a verbal argument between Neri and Falciani escalated to the second floor of the residence.
Shortly after, a single gunshot was heard, and witnesses discovered Falciani lying at the top of the staircase while Neri was still holding a firearm.
Authorities searched the residence, recovering:
- A spent shell casing
- A projectile
- Multiple electronic devices
Investigators also noted that an office door near the shooting scene was locked and showed signs of being forcibly kicked in.
Based on the collected evidence, Carmine Neri has been formally charged with:
- Murder (First Degree)
- Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Second Degree)
- Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Third Degree)
Neri was transported to the Cape May County Correctional Facility, where he remains pending further legal proceedings.
Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland praised the dedicated efforts of law enforcement in resolving this case, stating:
“Their unwavering commitment to solving this heinous crime and ensuring accountability for the victim is a testament to the dedication of law enforcement in our community. This successful investigation is a direct result of their professionalism, perseverance, and teamwork.”
Authorities encourage anyone with additional information regarding this case to contact the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office or Wildwood Crest Police Department.
Legal Disclaimer: All charges are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
AUSTIN, Texas — A man was taken into custody Saturday afternoon following a shooting inside the Austin Central Library that left one person seriously injured and prompted a large emergency response and temporary shelter-in-place order in the downtown area.
According to the Austin Police Department (APD), officers responded shortly after 12:00 p.m. to reports of gunfire inside the Austin Central Library, located at 710 W. César Chávez Street.
Upon arrival, police and Austin-Travis County EMS units found one victim suffering from a gunshot wound.
The individual was transported to a local hospital in serious but stable condition.
Assistant Police Chief Lee Rogers stated during a press briefing that the shooter fled the scene before officers arrived.
After an extensive search, the suspect—identified as 55-year-old Harold Newton Keene—was located and arrested in South Austin at approximately 1:25 p.m.
The library was safely evacuated, and the shelter-in-place alert was lifted shortly after Keene’s apprehension.
Authorities emphasized that the shooting appeared to be an isolated incident involving only one suspect and one victim.
“This was not an active shooter situation,” Rogers confirmed.
Preliminary reports and public records reveal that Harold Newton Keene has a lengthy criminal history, including multiple arrests for assault, family violence, terroristic threats, burglary, drug possession, and evading arrest.
He is described by law enforcement officials as a habitual violent offender who has had numerous prior run-ins with police.
Records indicate Keene was previously arrested for threatening a man with a firearm several months ago and, in a separate incident, assaulted another inmate while in custody at the Travis County Jail.
In both cases, prosecutors later declined to pursue charges.
Authorities have not yet released a possible motive for the shooting or confirmed whether the suspect and victim knew each other.
The Austin Police Department’s Major Crimes Division is leading the investigation.
Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact the Austin Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS.