A Brick Township man accused of helping a wanted murder suspect evade law enforcement has surrendered to police, the latest development in the investigation into the fatal shooting outside a Toms River Wawa that has resulted in charges against five people.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Ronald Hagan, 50, of Brick Township, surrendered to the Toms River Township Police Department in the presence of his attorney. Hagan had been charged on September 24 with Hindering the Apprehension of Another, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

The case stems from the September 18 fatal shooting of Bruce Gress, 42, of Toms River, outside the Wawa at Route 37 and Garfield Avenue.

As Lakewood Alerts initially reported, emergency personnel responded to the Wawa following reports of a shooting. Gress was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The following day, Douglas Cobb, 51, of Toms River, was charged with Murder, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon and Certain Persons Not to Possess a Weapon.

Lakewood Alerts later reported that Cobb had been identified as the murder suspect and was being sought by law enforcement.

As investigators worked to locate Cobb, the case expanded to include several people accused of helping him avoid apprehension.

On September 24, Hagan; Sylvester Green, 43, of Bayville; Cherice Nicholson, 46, of Howell; and Jennifer Rizalvo, 48, of Lakewood, were each charged with Hindering the Apprehension of Another.

As previously reported by Lakewood Alerts, authorities said the four were accused of assisting Cobb in avoiding apprehension, providing false information to law enforcement, or both.

Green and Nicholson were taken into custody and transported to the Ocean County Jail, while Rizalvo was served with the charge on a summons pending court proceedings. Hagan remained wanted until his surrender.

Following his surrender, Hagan was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is being held pending a detention hearing.

In total, five people have been charged in connection with the case: Cobb on the murder and weapons charges, and Hagan, Green, Nicholson and Rizalvo on hindering charges connected to the investigation into Cobb’s whereabouts.

The charges are accusations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.