1 Arrest In Acid Attack That Injured 6 In Jersey City

JERSEY CITY, NJ — One arrest has been made in an acid attack that injured six people in Jersey City on Monday night — three of whom were teens, officials said.

At least five women were hospitalized on Monday after someone on a moped drove by and threw acid at them, Jersey City officials said. One of the victims, a 21-year-old woman, has been transferred to St. Barnabas Burn Center in Livingston with burns to her face and scalp, said police spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione.

A sixth victim has since been identified, but no more information was available Tuesday.

Wallace-Scalcione also said Tuesday that one suspect, a juvenile, has been arrested.

Earlier Reporting

The attack appeared to be retaliation for an "earlier incident," said Mayor James Solomon in a statement just before midnight on Monday.

"Two suspects on a moped drove past their car on Wilkinson Avenue and threw an acidic substance on them," Solomon said. "The incident appears to be targeted and follows an earlier altercation."

A police spokesperson told Patch on Tuesday morning that the assault happened in the area of 105 Wilkinson Ave.

Police believe the substance was sulfuric acid, said spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione.

No suspects were in custody as of Tuesday, officials said.

The women were treated at the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries including skin burns and peeling, Wallace-Scalcione said. All five are in stable condition.

"The incident ... may have stemmed from a dispute between a large group of people earlier in the day," she said.

"My thoughts are with those hurt in this horrific attack," the mayor said, "and I want our communities to know that violence like this has absolutely no place on our streets."

He added, "I have directed JCPD to use its full resources on the investigation, and to ensure that our officers work around the clock to find those responsible and bring them to justice."

Jersey City has recorded 386 aggravated assaults so far this year, down from 537 last year, according to their crime dashboard.

Patch will update this breaking story when more information is available.