PNC Bank Arts Center shooting: Holmdel man nabbed

A Holmdel man has been arrested and charged in the Monday night shooting that critically injured two men outside a hip-hop concert at the PNC Bank Arts Center, state police said Thursday.

Quran Powell, 27, was charged with attempted homicide, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose and certain persons not to possess a firearm. He was arrested Wednesday in East Orange and is being held at the Monmouth County jail on $750,000 bail with no 10 percent option.

New Jersey State Police and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office identified Powell as a suspect and secured a search warrant for Powell’s home. It was subsequently learned he was possibly hiding in East Orange, where he was later arrested.

Powell was previously convicted in 2012 on drug manufacturing and/or drug distribution charges, according to Superior Court records. He received one year of probation.

The shooting at the PNC Bank Arts Center parking lot left two men in critical but stable condition. The shooting happened around 11 p.m. The victims, ages 23 and 24, both of Neptune, were shot multiple times, authorities said. Their names were not released.

The shooting capped a busy evening for law enforcement at the arts center. At least 102 people were arrested, many on charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, state police said previously.

The arena was hosting the J. Cole: Forest Hills Drive Tour, featuring hip-hop artists J. Cole, YC, Big Sean and Jeremih. The show sold out, the center reported on its Twitter feed.

Karen Yi; 732 643 4277; kyi@gannettnj.com