Verdict Reached In Murder Of Hoboken Teacher's Aide, Rutgers Athlete

HOBOKEN, NJ — A North Bergen man was found guilty on all charges related to the fatal shooting of a Hoboken teacher's aide in April 2024, officials said.

On Tuesday, a Hudson County jury found Albert Morales, 35, guilty of murder and weapons offenses in the death of Damon Murray, 21.

Murray was a former Rutgers Football team walk-on and paraprofessional in the Hoboken schools, according to Hudson County prosecutors.

The verdict was rendered after a trial before Superior Court Judge Mitzy Galis-Menendez.

Shortly after 11:30 p.m. on April 28, 2024 the Hoboken Police Department received a report of shots fired in the area of 320 Marshall Drive, in Hoboken's subsidized housing projects.

Murray was taken by a private car to Jersey City Medical Center with an apparent gunshot wound to the abdomen. He was pronounced dead just after 12 a.m.

Morales was later apprehended in Massachusetts.

At the time, family said the two were arguing about a small gambling debt. READ MORE: Vigil Held For Slain Hoboken Athlete

"He was being a typical boy, gambling, and they had a disagreement," his mom had told CBS news, adding a message for his killer: "Turn yourself in ... you're a coward for pulling out a gun over gambling."

Murray had been a teacher's aide in Hoboken Middle School and Hoboken High School, and dreamed of becoming a city firefighter, friends said at the time.

At a council meeting, friends spoke tearfully, begged the city to be more responsive to their part of town, and to create more citywide recreation activities for teens. RELATED: Tears And Anger At Hoboken Meeting In Wake Of Scholar Athlete's Death

On Wednesday, Mayor Emily Jabbour said, "While this verdict will not erase the pain felt by Damon's family, friends, and loved ones, I hope it provides some measure of justice. At just 21 years old, Damon had a bright future ahead of him.

"Damon's death remains a heartbreaking and unnecessary reminder of the devastating consequences of gun violence. As a community, we must continue working together to prevent these tragedies, and I am committed to doing that in honor of Damon’s memory."

Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 4.