FREEHOLD, N.J. — A fugitive sought in connection with a deadly shooting at the NJ TRANSIT station in Long Branch last week has been arrested in Pennsylvania, authorities said on Friday.
Damian Bass, 19, whose last known address was in Fanwood, Union County, was apprehended on Thursday by U.S. Marshals. Bass was located in the Effort section of Chestnuthill Township, Pennsylvania, in the Pocono Mountains. The arrest was carried out by members of the U.S. Marshals Middle District of Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force, based in Scranton, and the U.S. Marshals New York/New Jersey Fugitive Task Force, based in Brooklyn.
The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office said Bass is wanted in connection with the shooting death of James Hailey, 43, of Newark, at the NJ TRANSIT Long Branch Station on the evening of Aug. 26. Authorities said the shooting occurred shortly before 7:45 p.m. that Monday, prompting an emergency response from local law enforcement.
Officers from the Long Branch Police Department arrived at the train station after receiving reports of gunfire. When they reached the platform, they discovered Hailey with a gunshot wound. Hailey was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, but despite medical efforts, he was pronounced dead approximately an hour later.
A joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO), New Jersey Transit Police, and the Long Branch Police Department swiftly identified Bass as a primary suspect in the case. The following day, Bass was formally charged with first-degree murder, as well as two related weapons offenses.
Bass is currently in custody in Pennsylvania, where he is awaiting extradition back to New Jersey. He is expected to face legal proceedings in Monmouth County Superior Court once extradition arrangements are completed. The timeline for these proceedings has not yet been specified.
Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago confirmed the arrest in a press release on Friday morning, commending the efforts of law enforcement personnel involved in tracking down Bass. “The successful apprehension of Damian Bass is a testament to the dedication and cooperation of multiple agencies working together to ensure justice is served,” Santiago said.
Bass’s legal representation has not been announced, and it remains unclear whether he has retained an attorney as of the time of this writing.
