Acting Asbury Park police Chief Anthony Salerno is urging the public to come forward if they have any information on the shooting death of Jamar Small, a former standout high school athlete.
ASBURY PARK -- Days after a former star high school athlete was gunned down on a city street in broad daylight, an official is urging the public to come forward with information.
Jamar Small, 24, was shot and killed on the 1000 block of Summerfield Avenue shortly before noon on Sunday, authorities said.
The shooting is under investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office and the Asbury Park Police Department. No arrests have been made.
Acting police Chief Anthony Salerno called on the public to speak up if they have any information on the shooting.
"We need people to come forward so we could get information, and it's only that information that will assist in the arrest and prosecution of who was responsible (for Small's death)," he said.
On Tuesday, Small's family released a statement through the National Action Network's Asbury Park chapter. The NAN is a national civil rights organization founded by the Rev. Al Sharpton.
The family thanked everyone for their prayers and support, but also called attention to a faulty surveillance camera in the area.
"... They would like to stress their concern about the many nonworking surveillance cameras that are posted on many street corners throughout our city," the statement said. "Specifically, the one on the corner of Bangs Avenue and Prospect Avenue; which could have well captured the entire ordeal."
An official with knowledge of the camera's operability confirmed the camera on the corner of Bangs and Prospect avenues is not working.
Salerno said the department does not "make it a practice to discuss" city cameras for security reasons.
But Salerno said the camera the family is pointing to could not have captured the shooting because of its location. He said that corner is one city block over and a few streets away from where the shooting occurred, and the view is obstructed by trees and houses.
"It's not even a straight line," he said.
Salerno conceded that the cameras have been an issue since he took over the police department last year. A project to get new, high-definition cameras is underway, he said, and should be completed within the next month.
Small, a former athletic star at Asbury Park High School and Texas Southern University, was shot and killed in the 1000 block of Summerfield Avenue, near the corner of Summerfield Avenue and Comstock Street. Another 25-year-old city man was injured in the shooting, but authorities have not yet released his identity.
Jamar Small, 24, of Asbury Park, was a standout athlete in high school and later at Texas Southern University in Houston where he played quarterback. (Photo courtesy of Texas Southern University).Former coaches, friends and community members said Small was an asset to the community who devoted his time to mentoring the young athletes in the crime-ridden neighborhoods of Asbury Park.
Small had recently graduated from TSU with a degree in business administration and was on his way to a promising career, those close to him say.
The NAN statement was released by Nicolle Harris, a school board member and minister, and the Rev. Kevin Nunn, a pastor and activist.
Harris and Nunn pledged their dedication to combat crime in the city.
"But rest assured, we as community leaders and activists will continue to address the violence and crime that once again (is) beginning to rear its head in our city," the statement said.
Salerno called Small's death a "tragedy," adding that he was one of the city's "brightest young adults."
"He was gunned down before he had a chance to contribute to the community in a way that I am certain he would have," Salerno said. "It's a tragedy. What we need is the public to stand forward and speak out against the violence."
Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.