July 4th Police Shooting In Hudson County Injures Man With Knife: Cops

UNION CITY, NJ — A July 4th police-involved shooting is under investigation by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Shooting Response Team, said Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez.

On Monday at around 7:49 p.m., uniformed Union City Police Officers were flagged down in the area of 23rd Street and Bergenline Avenue on reports of a stabbing.

Police found the suspect – later identified as Jesus Suazo, 58, of Union City – nearby. During the encounter, a uniformed officer fired his gun, hitting Suazo. A knife was found near Suazo, said Suarez.

Suazo was taken to a local hospital, where he remains in stable condition, said Suarez.

In connection with the initial stabbing, one man suffered non-fatal injuries, and Suazo was charged with second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Shooting Response Team and Public Integrity Unit immediately notified the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General of the use of force by police, pursuant to Attorney General Directive 2019-4.

The Hudson County Prosecutor's Office has been designated the independent investigator for this officer-involved shooting and is investigating the incident in accordance with guidelines set forth by the NJOAG.

The investigation in this matter, including the use of force by police, remains active and ongoing. At this time, further information will not be released so as not to jeopardize the investigation in progress.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Office of the Hudson County
Prosecutor at 201-915-1345 or to leave an anonymous tip on the Hudson County Prosecutor’s
official website at: hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip.