Holmdel Man with Criminal History Arrested for PNC Bank Arts Center Shooting

Authorities apprehended a Holmdel man who is allegedly responsible for a shooting that occurred in the parking lot of the PNC Bank Arts Center earlier this week.

27-year-old Holmdel resident Quran Powell is now facing charges for attempted murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and a “certain persons not to have weapons offense” after police identified him as the primary suspect involved in the shooting that took place at approximately 11:00 p.m. on Monday, August 3rd.

The shooting left two male victims, ages 23 and 24, both of whom are from Neptune, seriously injured. Both men suffered multiple gunshot wounds; they were subsequently deemed in critical but stable condition.

As officials investigated the incident, Powell emerged as a person of interest. He was ultimately taken into custody in East Orange on Wednesday, August 5th and is now being held at the Monmouth County jail in lieu of bail set at $750,000 with no 10 percent option.

Powell reportedly has a prior criminal record which includes a drug distribution conviction from 2012. Previous felony convictions would restrict him from lawfully possessing a firearm, which explains the recent charge for a “certain persons offense.” In New Jersey, persons who have been convicted of certain felonies in this state or another are barred from purchasing, owning, possessing or controlling firearms.

Violations of this section (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7), known as “certain persons offenses,” are considered second-degree crimes under the law, punishable by a term of incarceration ranging from 5 to 10 years. Further, these crimes entail a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment fixed at, or between, one-third and one-half of the sentence imposed by the court or five years, whichever is greater.

With this in mind, if convicted of a single weapons charge, Powell may be subject to a significant term of imprisonment. This, of course, does not account for the lengthy-term that may be imposed if he is found guilty of attempted murder, nor does it consider the possibility that the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office will seek an extended-term due to Powell’s criminal history.

For additional information pertaining to this case, access the following article: PNC Bank Arts Center shooting: Holmdel man nabbed