Innocent bystander in critical condition on life support

COURT HOUSE – A Wildwood man wanted in connection with a shooting in the city in which a bystander was critically wounded in the head turned himself in to the Camden Police Department on Thursday, July 11.

William Hoyle, 40, of the 200 block of East Cresse Avenue, Wildwood, was picked up from Camden that day by Wildwood Police Department detectives and members of the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and taken to the Cape May County Correctional Center.

Hoyle was being sought for allegedly firing a handgun in the area of 3817 Pacific Ave. in Wildwood on Tuesday, July 9, at about 10:25 p.m. One of the bullets struck a young woman, later identified as Vilte Gruzdyte, 20, of Lithuania.

A social media site identified Gruzdyte as an employee of Morey’s Piers who was off work at the time. She was transported to AtlantiCare Medical Center-Atlantic City and as of Friday, July 12, was listed in critical condition.

According to a press release issued July 12 by Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland and Wildwood Police Chief Joseph Murphy, police identified Hoyle as the individual responsible for the shooting, saying he fled the scene.

Wildwood police detectives and investigators from the Prosecutor’s Office responded and immediately began an investigation. As a result, on the morning of Wednesday, July 10, the Cape May County Regional SWAT Team executed a search warrant at a residence in the 4700 block of Pacific Avenue.

The search found clothing believed to be worn by the shooter and a 9mm handgun. Additionally, as a result of the warrant, David L. Johnson, 45, was charged with third-degree hindering apprehension and released on a summons pending court proceedings.

Hoyle was charged with first-degree attempted murder, second-degree aggravated assault, second-degree certain persons not allowed to possess a weapon, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, second-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes, third-degree possession of an untraceable firearm and fourth-degree possession of a high-capacity magazine.

In the press release issued July 12, Sutherland said the preliminary investigation has revealed that the victim, who was visiting the U.S. on a student visa, was an innocent bystander and not Hoyle’s intended target.

As of the time of the release, he said, the victim was listed in critical condition and on life support at the medical center.

In a statement posted on www.cmcpros.net/NEWS, Sutherland said, “This is a tragic incident, and we are all as a community praying for Vilte and her family. Our office is taking all measures to make sure justice is served in this matter.”

Sutherland commended the members of the Victims Witness Unit, who are providing support and assistance to Gruzdyte’s family.

He said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed. He urged anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Major Crimes Unit of the Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1135, the Wildwood Police Department at 609-522-0222, or anonymously on the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office website at cmcpo.tips.

Information can also be sent anonymously to the Cape May County sheriff’s tip line at cmcsheriff.net (click on anonymous tip) or through the Cape May County Crime Stoppers at 609-889-3597.