Third Man Charged in Shooting Death of Alex Bridge

Authorities say a 21-year-old construction worker from Essex County sold an illegal handgun used in the fatal shooting of a New Milford man over the weekend.

Nicholas Questel, of Orange, was arrested and charged with one count of unlawful possession of a handgun, Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli said in a release Wednesday. Questel was arraigned along with Byron Sankar and Aaron McMorris Tuesday in connection with the shooting death of 22-year-old Alex Bridge. Questel is being held at the Bergen County Jail on $75,000 bail. 

"In an effort to root out the transfer and sale of illegal firearms in North Jersey, detectives assigned to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Major Crimes Unit traced the illicit sale of the handgun used by Byron Sankar during the shooting death of Alex Bridge," Molinelli said.  

At approximately 1 a.m. Saturday, Bridge, Sankar, Sankar's wife and McMorris were hanging out in the parking lot of the Milford Estates apartment complex, drinking beer, and possibly smoking pot when Sankar allegedly took out a 9mm handgun he was carrying and "handled the weapon in such a reckless manner that it discharged, striking the victim in the abdomen and resulting in his death," Molinelli said shortly after the shooting. Sankar did not have a permit for the gun and did not legally own it, Molinelli added. 

According to Molinelli, Sankar went to Questel's apartment and purchased the handgun from him earlier in the summer for $350. Molinelli said that the handgun has not been found. Authorities believe Sankar disposed of the handgun at an unknown location immediately following the shooting of Bridge.  

"The investigation into the whereabouts and origin of the handgun will continue," Molinelli said. 

Sankar was charged with aggravated manslaughter, unlawful possession of a handgun, hindering apprehension by hiding evidence, hindering apprehension by giving false information to police and reckless endangerment by leaving an injured person. Bail was set at $1 million with no 10 percent option. He pled not guilty to all charges. Sankar is being held at the Bergen County Jail in lieu of bail. 

McMorris was charged with giving false information to police and hindering apprehension by giving false information to police. Bail was set at $75,000 with no 10 percent option. He is being held at the Bergen County Jail in lieu of bail. 

Sankar's wife was not charged, officials said. 

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office assisted in this investigation.