Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said on Friday, September 9, 2022, charges were waived for two juveniles in connection with the fatal shooting of Pedro Rodriguez, 16.
According to Prosecutor Esther Suarez, Juan Crawford, 18, and Leo Barker, 17, both of Jersey City, are each charged with First-Degree Murder and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose.
Prosecutor Suarez said Crawford was 17 when the shooting occurred and was arrested and charged as a juvenile on December 27, 2021.
Barker was 16 when the shooting occurred and was arrested and charged as a juvenile on March 23, 2022.
According to Prosecutor Suarez, on Thursday, December 16, 2021, shortly after 11:45 a.m., the Jersey City Police Department responded to 600 Communipaw Avenue in Jersey City on a report of shots fired.
Responding officers found an unresponsive male victim – later identified as Pedro Rodriguez, 16, of Jersey City – with apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately midnight.
Prosecutor Esther Suarez said the Regional Medical Examiner determined the Cause of Death to be Gunshot Wounds and the Manner of Death to be Homicide.
If convicted as adults, Crawford and Barker face life in prison.
The above charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6)