Jersey City Teen, 17, Charged In Daylight Shooting Death Of 16-Year-Old

JERSEY CITY — Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said Monday that a Jersey City teen, 17, has been charged with murder in connection with the death of 16-year-old Pedro Rodriquez, who was fatally shot on Communipaw Avenue in Jersey City on Dec. 16.

Suarez said that the 17-year-old, whose name was not released, surrendered to Homicide Unit detectives at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in Jersey City. He was remanded to the Morris County Juvenile Detention Center pending his first appearance.

On Thursday, Dec. 16, shortly after 11:45 a.m., the Jersey City Police Department responded to the area of 600 Communipaw Ave. in Jersey City on a report of shots fired. The responding police officers found an unresponsive 16-year-old boy.

The boy was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 12 p.m. The Regional Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be multiple gunshot wounds the manner of death to be homicide.

At the time, Jersey City Schools Deputy Superintendent Norma Fernandez told NJ.com, “Pedro was a quiet, respectful young man. ... Our deepest condolences and prayers go to the family and friends as they cope with this horrific tragedy.”

She said he was not attending school at the time, but his family was looking for options.

An additional arrest is expected, prosecutors said.

This case was the 23rd homicide in Jersey City in 2021, up from 16 in 2020, according to NJ.com.

The teen arrested Monday was charged with:

• Murder
• Possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose
• Unlawful possession of a weapon

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit is actively investigating this case with assistance from the Jersey City Police Department. Anyone with information 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: http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/. All information will be kept confidential.

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