By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Hudson County announced that the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit has charged a Lodi man with murder after investigating a report of a fatal shooting that occurred in Hoboken on Saturday, February 1.
According to Hudson County officials, on Sunday, February 2, the Lodi Police Department contacted the Hoboken Police Department and the Homicide Unit after receiving multiple tips that a male had been fatally shot one day earlier in a restricted area of the Hoboken waterfront near Castle Point Skate Park.
After an extensive four-day investigation utilizing numerous investigative resources, the Homicide Unit determined Erick Fernandez, 26, fatally shot Julio Flores, 23, of Passaic, at the above location, Lodi Police stated.
Following the shooting, HCPO authorities said, Fernandez fled with the victim’s personal belongings, including his vehicle, and later returned to the scene to dispose of Flores’ body in the Hudson River.
Multiple law enforcement agencies have been actively conducting water searches in an effort to recover the victim’s body, according to Hudson County officials.
As of this writing, the victim’s body has not been recovered, Lodi Police said.
According to Hudson County officials, a warrant for Fernandez’s arrest was issued on Thursday, February 6. When the warrant was signed, Fernandez was in custody at the Garfield Police Department on an unrelated matter.
Fernandez is charged with Murder, Felony Murder, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Disturbing/Desecrating Human Remains, Hindering Certain Persons Not to Possess a Weapon, and Robbery, HCPO authorities stated. 
Hudson County officials say Fernandez is being held at the Hudson County Correctional Facility pending his first court appearance.
This matter is actively being investigated.