Toms River Police Arrest Retired Fort Lee Police Officer Who Allegedly Shot Someone During Dispute

A retired Fort Lee cop has been charged with attempted murder after he allegedly shot a man outside his residence in Toms River, New Jersey. The suspect is 70-year-old Richard Gato, a former police officer with the Fort Lee Police Department. Gato lives at a home located on Kettle Creek Road in Toms River in Ocean County, NJ. According to authorities, Gato got into a verbal altercation with Robert Oleynick, a 34-year-old man from Toms River. At some point, the verbal dispute turned physical and Gato allegedly used a handgun to shoot Oleynick in the chest. Emergency medical responders were called to the scene, where they found Oleynick suffering from a serious gunshot wound. He was then taken via helicopter to Jersey Shore Medical Center, where doctors treated him for his injuries and later listed him in stable condition.

Meanwhile, detectives with both the Toms River Police Department and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit investigated the former Fort Lee police officer for the shooting. Police reportedly got a search warrant for a video that may have captured the shooting. Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office spokesman Al Della Fave issued a statement about the police investigation and said that the video footage gave authorities “a clear view of the disagreement” between Gato and Oleynick that precipitated the shooting.

Criminal Charges for Attempted Murder & Weapons Offenses in New Jersey

Since the shooting incident occurred in Toms River, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office is handling the case. Depending on the findings of investigators, it’s possible that Gato could face a number of criminal charges in connection with the violent shooting. At this time, Gato has already been charged with attempted murder and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

After being placed under arrest by Toms River law enforcement, Gato was processed and then transported to the Ocean County Jail. He was being held at the correctional facility in lieu of a hearing to determine whether he should be released from police custody while awaiting resolution of the case. Given the violent nature of Gato’s alleged crimes, it’s very possible that he will be ordered to remain in jail without bail until the case is resolved.

Contact Travis J. Tormey About Your Criminal Charges in Bergen County, NJ

Do you face criminal charges for a violent crime in Fort Lee, Hackensack, Paramus, or anywhere else in Bergen County, New Jersey? Then Travis J. Tormey of the Tormey Law Firm can help you fight the charges and avoid the most severe penalties. Contact Attorney Tormey today to discuss your case.