Vigil Held For Damon Murray In Hoboken, Suspect Charged With Murder

HOBOKEN, NJ — A North Bergen man has been apprehended in Massachusetts in connection with the fatal shooting of a 21-year-old scholar-athlete in Hoboken on Sunday night.

[RELATED: Tears And Anger At Hoboken Meeting In Wake Of Scholar Athlete's Death]

Albert Morales, 33, has been charged with murder and weapons charges. He was arrested in Chicopee, Mass. on Tuesday, said the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office. He is being held by members of the Massachusetts State Police and will remain in custody pending extradition to New Jersey.

Damon Murray, a former Rutgers Football team walk-on and a paraprofessional in the Hoboken schools, was shot to death in the city's public housing on Sunday night.

Murray was pronounced dead just after 12 a.m. on Monday, said the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office.

Murray's mother told CBS News Monday night that her son had been killed because of a disagreement over gambling.

"He was being a typical boy, gambling, and they had a disagreement," she said, with a message for his killer: "Turn yourself in. Everybody knows it was you, and you're a coward for pulling out a gun over gambling."

In Hoboken, supporters held a vigil Tuesday night in the plaza at 770 Jackson St., behind the Monroe Center (see photos above). A peaceful rally was being planned for 7 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall.

On Wednesday, Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla said of the apprehension of Morales, "I commend our dedicated law enforcement agencies including the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office, the Hoboken Police Department, and the Massachusetts State Police for working around the clock to quickly apprehend the individual connected to Sunday's fatal shooting. It is absolutely heartbreaking that Damon is no longer with us but knowing that justice will be served is an important step forward for our community to mourn his loss."

Earlier Reporting

Murray's family said he had just passed the firefighter's exam. He had also won raves as a teacher's aide in the Hoboken schools.

"Damon was a standout student leader, gifted basketball and football player, and friend during his time in the Hoboken Public Schools," said Schools Superintendent Christine Johnson on Monday. "His contributions to Hoboken High School, both academically and athletically, will always be remembered and cherished."

Mayor Ravi Bhalla said, "I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Damon Murray, a well-respected, standout athlete who gave back to Hoboken youth and our community at large. My deepest condolences go out to his family and friends during this difficult time. May his memory continue to live on through all who knew him."

The Shooting

Murray had taken by a private vehicle to Jersey City Medical Center on Sunday night with at least one apparent gunshot wound to the abdomen, prosecutors said.

Shortly after 11:30 p.m., the Hoboken Police Department received a report of shots fired in the area of 320 Marshall Drive, prosecutors said.

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit and the Hoboken Police Department are investigating, and no arrests have been made.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor at 201-915-1345 or to leave an
anonymous tip at: http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/. All information will be kept confidential.

Hoboken Housing Authority Director Marc Recko, whose full time job is overseeing the city's federally funded public housing, wrote to residents on Monday:

"It is with a broken heart that I inform you all that last night, April 28, 2024 a young man’s life was cut short on HHA property on Kyelia’s Way by a senseless act of violence.

"HHA has been and continues to be in constant contact with the Hoboken Police Department as this early stage of the investigation into the tragedy is in the early stages, but in full swing.

"We believe that this incident was an isolated conflict between two individuals and there is no imminent danger to residents, visitors, or activities on HHA properties.

"Should you have any information that can be shared concerning this incident, please contact the Hoboken Police at (201) 420-2100."

The Hoboken police referred all inquiries to the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office, which they usually do with homicides.

READ MORE: Hoboken Man, Teacher's Aide Shot Dead Sunday Night