In the early hours of a Sunday morning in Long Branch, New Jersey, the life of Elijah Charles Buffaloe, a 31-year-old male, was tragically cut short. On February 11, 2024, what began as a celebration of his birthday turned into a scene of violence. At approximately 1:30 a.m., in the area of Brighton Avenue between Ocean Boulevard and 2nd Avenue, gunfire erupted. Buffaloe was struck by a bullet and rushed to a local hospital for medical attention.
Despite the efforts of medical personnel, he succumbed to his injuries a few days later.
The incident that claimed Buffaloe's life was not isolated. Moments after he was shot, a further exchange of gunfire occurred between other individuals at the scene. This second round of shooting resulted in a 32-year-old man from Brick Township sustaining injuries. He was able to transport himself to a hospital for treatment and was later released. The initial shooting, however, proved fatal for Buffaloe, a cherished member of the Long Branch community, leaving his family and friends to grapple with the sudden and violent loss.
For a year, the case remained a priority for law enforcement. The investigation led authorities to identify a suspect in the fatal shooting. In February of 2025, a significant breakthrough occurred when 25-year-old Raheem D. Montes, also of Long Branch, was located and apprehended by local authorities in Clayton County, Georgia. Montes was identified as the initial shooter in the incident that led to Buffaloe's death.
Following his capture, Montes was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. He was taken into custody in Georgia, awaiting extradition back to New Jersey to face the charges in Monmouth County Superior Court. The arrest brought a measure of progress in the quest for justice for Elijah Buffaloe, though the community continues to mourn his passing.
