Teacher Pens Moving Memory Of Jersey City Teen Who Was Shot To Death

JERSEY CITY, NJ — In Jersey City last year, several of the city's 12 homicides were you men age 16 to 19. News stories on the killings were often brief, but as with any sudden death, the victims left behind parents, brothers, and students who want to know why.

A Jersey City teacher's tribute to an 18-year-old victim, quietly left on his obituary webpage last month, tells what one might suspect: The man's father had come to his school parents' night. He had a family who cared.

Mysterious Death

Around 2:20 p.m. on Dec. 18, a private vehicle dropped off a young man at Jersey City Medical Center with a gunshot wound, then drove away. The man, 18, was pronounced dead around 4 p.m., leaving prosecutors to try to figure out what happened.

Ten days later, on Dec. 28, a 17-year-old was charged with manslaughter in the death of Angel Regalado Guzman, 18. Prosecutors determined the fatal shooting had occurred inside a residence on Ocean Avenue, but released no further details. The suspect's name was not released because it's a juvenile case.

But one person gave color to Angel Regaled Guzman's life.

In comments left on an obituary for Guzman placed last month, a teacher named Lisa remembered him as a sweet, warm, and respectful boy who drew her a Thanksgiving card.

In her last conversation with him, she said, they both talked of his future: "He seemed just a boy," she wrote, "wearing a Mickey Mouse hoodie. I said a silent prayer for Angel. I could not know Angel's destiny...."

Here Is What Lisa Wrote:

"I have known Angel as both his first ESL teacher, when Angel initially arrived to the United States, and, later, as an assisting teacher, in his Hospitality class.

"Angel will remain in my memory, and in my heart, seated in our conversation circle, closest to the windows of our classroom, as a young man that was blessed with so many special qualities.

"Angel had a light-filled smile, a combination of intelligence, heart, goodness, gentility, compassion for others, and an endearing sense of humor. He treated me and his peers with a kind, personal, caring, and always respectful manner. Angel projected a nature that was uniquely warm and sweet.

"One day, I arrived to my mailbox, at school, to find an unexpected Thanksgiving card that Angel had written and illustrated for me. I was so delightfully surprised and touched by Angel's thoughtfulness and kind effort to express appreciation, but, then, again, Angel was unique.
A little over a year ago, Angel and I spoke of his then current life, his potential, decisions to make, so that he could journey forward, to reach this potential. Angel, who had his head downcast and pensive, looked up, at the end of our conversation, smiled, his gentle, light-filled smile, and thanked me for speaking with him. He seemed just a boy, wearing a Mickey Mouse hoodie. I said a silent prayer for Angel.

"I could not know Angel's destiny, but, if we must, sorrowfully, bid farewell to Angel, may we be confident that he rests safely with God, amidst the other angels.

"Angel, you are missed, but, you are safe, in God's care. Thank you for shining your light, here, before you were to depart. I will try to remember that God promises that those departed are just sleeping.

"Peace and healing to your loved ones. To your father and your brother ... I remember you, fondly, [brother], as my student, for a short while, and, also, as we all sat, together, and chatted, in my classroom, with Angel, one Parent's Evening. I will keep you in my prayers.

"God Bless You. Ms. Kashish."

Crime Statistics

Of the 24 homicides in Jersey City back in 2021, half were men ages 16-27.

The city said at the end of 2023 that violent crime had been dropping each year. There were 12 homicides in 2023, the last two of which were 18-year-old men, including Guzman. (The first few deaths of that year included two female Jersey City teachers were killed by ex-partners.)

In 2022, there were 13 homicides in Jersey City. READ MORE: Violent Crime Down In Jersey City, City Says

Read the full obituary for Angel Regalado Guzman here.