The community is in mourning following the tragic death of 28-year-old Toraya Reid, the sister of Minnesota Timberwolves center and Asbury Park native Naz Reid. Police say Reid was shot and killed over the weekend in Jackson, New Jersey, in what investigators are treating as a domestic violence incident.
Authorities reported that Reid was discovered with multiple gunshot wounds outside her apartment complex, the Paragon, on Saturday morning. The suspect, 29-year-old Shaquille Green, identified as her boyfriend, was taken into custody and is being held at the Ocean County Jail. Green faces charges of murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon.
Just a week before her death, Reid had been seen showing her support at Hoop Group Headquarters in Neptune City, where she helped encourage children attending her brother’s summer basketball camp. Known by family and friends as someone who cared deeply for others, her loss has left a void that many say will be impossible to fill. Neighbors in the quiet residential area where the tragedy occurred expressed their shock and fear at the violence. “I’m feeling saddened. This is too close to home,” said local resident Michael Casazza. “We’re concerned what’s happening to our neighborhood. It’s not a good thing. It’s really frightening.”
The shooting has drawn attention to the ongoing crisis of domestic violence. Leadership at Hoop Group chose not to comment publicly on the matter, but community organizations have stepped in to speak about the broader issues surrounding incidents like this. Mary Pettrow, director of Children and Family Services at Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton, which is affiliated with Providence House Domestic Violence Services in Ocean County, emphasized the seriousness of domestic abuse. In a statement, she expressed sympathy for the Reid family while highlighting the need for awareness and resources.
“At Providence House Domestic Violence Services in Ocean County we are all too familiar with the heartache associated with the shocking act of violence that took the life of Toraya Reid. We hold space in our hearts for her family and friends right now,” Pettrow said. She explained that domestic violence often follows a cycle in which abusive behaviors intensify over time, and she urged those who feel unsafe in their relationships to seek help when possible.
Providence House offers a range of services for individuals and families impacted by domestic violence, including emergency shelter, food, clothing, legal advocacy, and both individual and group counseling. Pettrow stressed that support is available around the clock. In Ocean County, residents can call 800-246-8910, while the New Jersey statewide domestic violence hotline can be reached at 800-572-7233. Both numbers are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with confidential and free services available for those in need.
The death of Toraya Reid has shaken her family, her neighbors, and her wider community. Friends and supporters of the Reid family remember her as a vibrant young woman who gave her time and energy to others, particularly children. As condolences continue to flow, many in the community are calling for more awareness and resources to combat domestic violence so that other families may be spared similar tragedies.
While the investigation continues and the legal process moves forward, the focus for many remains on honoring Reid’s memory and ensuring that her death shines a light on the ongoing need for prevention, support, and intervention in cases of abuse. For now, her family, including her brother Naz Reid, are left to grieve an immeasurable loss while surrounded by a community that has promised not to forget her name or the circumstances that led to her untimely death.
