Arrest made in Asbury Park stabbing

The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office has announced a man has been arrested and charged with the stabbing death of Prize Johnson.

Tyreek Williams, 24, of Asbury Park, is charged with first degree murder, third degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, and fourth degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, in connection with Monday night’s stabbing death of Prize R. Johnson.

On Jan. 5th, 2015, Asbury Park police responded to a 911 call reporting a person had been stabbed on Ridge Avenue before arriving at the apartment. Johnson was found inside Building 1, Apartment 53, at the Washington Village apartments, 1259 Washington Avenue, where he died from his injuries and was pronounced dead at 10:29 p.m.

A joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Asbury Park Police Department was immediately launched into the incident. Based upon the investigation, police determined Williams encountered the victim on the 400 block of Ridge Avenue where an altercation occurred culminating with the fatal stabbing of Johnson. With the assistance of friends, the victim made his way back to Apartment 53 in Washington Village, where he died from his injuries.

Williams is being held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, Freehold Township, on $1,022,500 with no option to post 10 percent.

Prize Johnson, a 2014 graduate of Asbury Park High School, was described as an amazing kid, who loved music, and football. Johnson played wide receiver for Asbury Park High School.

Johnson’s oldest brother, 32-year-old Rashon Clark, of Red Bank, said to NJ.com he was an incredible athlete who was always smiling.

“It’s really hard because we just never expected it to happen,” Clark said. “He mainly stayed to himself, he wasn’t the type of kid to get into any type of drama and stuff like that. So it’s kind of like a shock to everybody.”

Authorities are still asking the public to come forward with information on the homicide. Tipsters can call prosecutor’s office Detective Michael Bonanno at 1-800-533-7443 or Asbury Park police at 732-774-1300.

Anonymous tips can also be called into Crime Stoppers at 1-800-671-4400.