Two Ocean County men have pleaded guilty in connection with a 2024 shooting incident in Toms River in which a bicyclist was fired upon but escaped injury.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Anthony Zigarelli, 21, of Manchester Township, and Anthony Ventrice, 19, of Toms River, entered guilty pleas on June 1 before Judge Guy P. Ryan in Ocean County Superior Court.

According to prosecutors, the incident occurred on May 14, 2024, at approximately 4:05 p.m., when Toms River police responded to the area of Camino Medio and Camino Verde following multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire.

Investigators determined that a man was riding his bicycle through the neighborhood when he passed Zigarelli and Ventrice, who were standing outside a vehicle. Authorities say Ventrice produced a handgun and fired multiple shots at the victim. The two then entered the vehicle and drove past the bicyclist, with Zigarelli allegedly firing additional shots. None of the rounds struck the victim, and he was not injured.

Zigarelli pleaded guilty to Aggravated Assault and Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon. Prosecutors will seek a sentence of 10 years in New Jersey State Prison on the aggravated assault charge, subject to the No Early Release Act (NERA), along with a concurrent five-year prison term with a five-year parole disqualifier on the weapons offense. His sentencing is scheduled for August 14, 2026.

Ventrice pleaded guilty to Aggravated Assault. Prosecutors will seek a seven-year state prison sentence subject to NERA when he is sentenced on August 14, 2026.

At the time of the shooting, Ventrice was a juvenile. He was initially charged through the juvenile court system before his case was waived to adult criminal court. He has remained in custody since being transferred to the Ocean County Jail in May 2025.

Zigarelli was arrested by Toms River police on May 29, 2024, and has remained lodged in the Ocean County Jail since his arrest.

Prosecutor Billhimer credited Assistant Prosecutor Emma Hurst, along with the Toms River Township Police Department, Lakewood Township Police Department, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit for their work on the investigation.