Arrest in Lakewood Highpoint Condo Murder
Lakewood, N.J. – Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Lakewood Police Chief Robert Lawson today announced the arrest of Umbachi Jackson, 20, of Lakewood, for the August 29, 2013 murder of Kenneth Scott, 24, at the High Point Condominium Complex in Lakewood.
The arrest and charges stem from the incident on August 29, 2013, when at approximately 9:53 pm, Lakewood Police responded to the High Point apartments, in the area of building 524, regarding a male with a gunshot wound. Upon their arrival, they found the male victim and immediately had him transported by EMS to Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune. The victim, who was initially admitted in critical condition, later succumbed from his wound and was pronounced dead at 1:55 am. The victim was later identified as Kenneth Scott of South Prospect Street in Jackson. He had just turned 24 on August 28.
On August 30, 2013 a post mortem examination was conducted on the body of Mr. Scott by Dr. Dante Ragasa of the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office. The final Cause of Death was determined to be a gunshot wound of the chest; the Manner of Death was ruled a Homicide.
The Lakewood Police Department and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Homicide Unit, with assistance from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI Unit, conducted an exhaustive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Kenneth’s death and the identity of his assailant. Ultimately, the investigation revealed that Kenneth Scott was allegedly shot by Umbachi Jackson over an unpaid “Dice Game” bet.
Yesterday, December 3, at 3:15 pm the two lead detectives in the case, Ocean County Prosecutor‘s Detective John Carroll and Lakewood Police Detective Craig Fink, located and arrested Umbachi Jackson at the High Point Condominium Complex in Lakewood. Umbachi Jackson was charged with Murder, Possession of a Weapon and Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose. Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis R. Hodgson, Jr, J.S.C. set his bail at 1 million dollars cash. He has been remanded to the Ocean County Jail in lieu of bail.
The media and the public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Photo courtesy the Ocean County Jail