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.
Crime
Agent Nic Graham Dies After Being Shot in Lakewood Police Shootout With Suspect Gabriel Garcia on RTD Bus
LAKEWOOD, Colorado — A Lakewood police agent who was critically wounded during a shootout with a suspect aboard an RTD bus has died, authorities confirmed. The fallen officer was identified as Nic Graham, a member of the Lakewood Police Department since 2019.
Graham was among four police agents injured Thursday evening when an armed confrontation erupted near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard. A civilian bystander was also struck by gunfire.
The shooting followed a police search for a suspect connected to a hit-and-run crash reported earlier in the day.
Police said the incident initially began shortly before 3:45 p.m. Thursday, following a hit-and-run collision near Kipling Street and West 13th Avenue in Lakewood.
Witnesses told investigators that the suspect ran away almost immediately after the crash. However, they provided officers with a description that helped police identify and search for the individual.
Lakewood Police Public Information Agent John Romero said witnesses were able to give officers a useful description of the person who fled the scene.
Several hours later, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a Lakewood police agent recognized the individual boarding an RTD bus near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.
Officers approached the suspect at approximately 6:32 p.m. Police said the individual opened fire on officers, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Responding officers returned fire, striking the suspect. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene and was identified as Gabriel Garcia.
Garcia was reportedly on parole when the shooting occurred.
The circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain part of the ongoing investigation.
Four Lakewood police agents suffered gunshot wounds during the confrontation. Their injuries ranged from serious to critical, and all four were transported to nearby hospitals.
Despite receiving emergency medical treatment, Graham later died from his injuries.
One civilian bystander was also hit by gunfire and hospitalized. The person’s condition had not been publicly disclosed as of Friday afternoon.
Hospital updates released Friday morning indicated that two agents treated at Denver Health Medical Center had been released. Another remained hospitalized, while officials had not provided a complete update on the remaining injured individuals.
Graham began serving with the Lakewood Police Department in 2019 after graduating from the police academy.
Throughout his law enforcement career, he contributed to criminal investigations and earned recognition for his work.
One of his notable achievements came in 2023, when he received the department’s Special Investigations Unit Wingman Award for his contributions to investigations targeting gang members.
Police Chief Philip Smith paid tribute to Graham, highlighting his dedication, compassion and commitment to helping others.
Chief Smith said Graham demonstrated those qualities throughout his career, from his early days on patrol to his investigative work.
His death has left the department and the wider Lakewood community grieving the loss of an officer who dedicated his career to public service.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation.
The shooting resulted in the death of suspect Gabriel Garcia, the fatal injury of Agent Nic Graham, injuries to three additional police agents and a civilian bystander.
Officials have not released a final investigative account of the incident. Further updates are expected as investigators establish the complete sequence of events.