2 Teens To Be Tried As Adults For Murder Of Jersey City Student Last Year

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Two Jersey City teens charged with the murder of a fellow teen will be tried as adults, according to information released by Hudson County Prosecutor's Office Tuesday.

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said that this past Friday, charges were waived up to the Law Division of the Superior Court for two teens charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Pedro Rodriguez on Dec. 16, 2021.

Besides the murder charge, Juan Crawford, 18, and Leo Barker, 17, both of Jersey City, were also charged with second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

If convicted as adults, Crawford and Barker face up to life in prison, the Prosecutor's Office said.

The teens were 17 and 16 when the shooting occurred, respectively, and were initially arrested and charged as juveniles.

On Thursday, Dec. 16, shortly after 11:45 a.m., the Jersey City Police Department responded to 600 Communipaw Ave. in Jersey City on a report of shots fired.

Officers found an unresponsive male victim – later identified as Pedro Rodriguez, 16, of Jersey
City – with apparent gunshot wounds, prosecutors said. Rodriguez was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 12 p.m.

Rodriguez was a Snyder High School student at the time of his death, according to reports. Jersey City Schools Deputy Superintendent Norma Fernandez told NJ.com, “The district is extremely saddened by the loss of another youth to violence. Pedro was a quiet, respectful young man."

READ MORE: Second Teen Charged With Murder In Death Of Jersey City Student