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Portuguese Immigrant, 42, Gets 40 Years In Prison For Fatal Long Branch Pizzeria Shooting

A Monmouth County man won't be eligible for parole until he's 80 years old and faces deportation, after receiving a 40-year state prison sentence on murder charges, authorities said.

Miguel Camara

Miguel Camara

Photo Credit: Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office

Miguel Camara, 42, of Long Branch, previously pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder and endangering the welfare of a child on July 15 before Superior Court Judge Vincent Falcetano, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Camara was sentenced on Friday in connection with the shooting death of Marco Moreira, 45, for trying to kill his ex-girlfriend, Fernanda Silva, and endangering the welfare of her 5-year-old daughter, Gramiccioni said.

Camara faces deportation back to Portugal after his release from state prison, the prosecutor said.

On Aug. 21, 2018 at about 3:15 p.m., Long Branch Police Officer George Samol was flagged down by a motorist on Broadway who reported a fight inside the Bom DMais restaurant and a shot fired through the front window. 

Camara had entered the Brazilian pizzeria and approached the table where Fernanda Silva, her two children ages 18 and 5, and Marco Moreira were seated, authorities said.

According to Gramiccioni, Camarathrew a Final Restraining Order obtained by Silva onto the table, pulled out a handgun and pointed it at Moreira’s head several times before shooting him. 

A struggle ensued between Silva, her 18-year-old son and Camara for the gun. During the struggle Camara repeatedly pointed the gun at Silva, firing it twice but missing her, Gramiccioni said.  

Camara's attempted murder sentence will run consecutively to the murder sentence, and the endangering sentence will run concurrently, for an aggregate 40 years in New Jersey State Prison with 38 ½ years of parole ineligibility, according to Gramiccioni 

After prison, Camara will be under parole supervision for five years following his release and will face deportation back to his native home country of Portugal, the prosecutor said.

The case is being handled by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutors Hoda Soliman and Emily

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