On the night of July 3, 2023, tragedy struck at the Asbury Park Gardens apartment complex on Atlantic Avenue in Asbury Park, New Jersey, forever altering the lives of many. It was just after 10:30 p.m. when the sound of gunshots pierced the evening air, leading to a chaotic scene where three men were discovered with injuries. Among them was 21-year-old Lativity Lyons, a resident of Asbury Park. All three victims were rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for urgent medical attention.
While two of the men were treated for their injuries and subsequently released, Lyons succumbed to his wounds and was pronounced dead at 10:50 p.m.
The investigation into the shooting revealed a grim reality: Lyons and the other two injured men were not the intended targets of the violence. A fourth individual, who was with the victims at the time of the incident, was believed to be the actual target but escaped unharmed. This senseless act of violence cut short the life of a young man who, according to those who knew him, had entrepreneurial dreams and aspirations.
In the months that followed, investigators from the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office and the Asbury Park Police Department worked to bring those responsible to justice. Their efforts led to the arrests of two individuals: Michael Sally, 19, of Long Branch, and Ziamere Ivery, 18, of Neptune Township. Ivery was initially charged as a juvenile, but his case was later moved to adult court. The charges against the pair were extensive, including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and gang criminality.
Ultimately, both men admitted their roles in the fatal shooting. Ziamere Ivery pleaded guilty to first-degree aggravated manslaughter on May 9, 2025. Michael Sally pleaded guilty to second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. In October 2025, they were sentenced for their crimes. Ivery received a prison sentence of 18 years, while Sally was sentenced to seven years. Under the terms of their sentences, both men will be required to serve a significant portion of their time before being eligible for parole.
