NJ Man Sentenced to 18 Years for 2024 Shooting That Injured Bystander

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A New Jersey man named William Hoyle has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for a 2024 shooting incident in Wildwood that left a 20-year-old woman with a gunshot wound to the head. Hoyle opened fire at a local restaurant, with surveillance footage showing him shooting at another man and accidentally striking the female bystander.

Why it matters

Gun violence and stray bullets striking innocent bystanders are ongoing concerns in many communities. This case highlights the serious consequences that can result from reckless firearm use, even when the intended target is not hit.

The details

According to the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office, the shooting occurred around 10:30 p.m. on July 9, 2024, at the Cattle 'n Clover Restaurant on Pacific Avenue in Wildwood. Surveillance video showed Hoyle firing a gun and striking the 20-year-old woman in the head, though she was not his intended target. Hoyle then ran after another man, shooting at him multiple times. Hoyle turned himself in to the Camden Police Department two days later, and on March 11, 2026, he was sentenced to 18 years in New Jersey State Prison on a charge of first-degree attempted murder.

• The shooting occurred around 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9, 2024.
• Hoyle turned himself in to police on Thursday, July 11, 2024.
• Hoyle was sentenced on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.

What’s next

The judge's decision on Hoyle's sentencing will likely be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for how the justice system handles similar cases of reckless firearm use resulting in unintended victims.