Bayonne Police Announce Arrest In March 17th Shooting Near Costco

The Bayonne Police Department has announced the arrest of 59-year old, Bayonne resident James A. Johnson of Avenue E in connection to the March 17, 2023 shooting in the area of Costco on Goldsborough Drive.

According to Police Captain Eric Amato, Johnson was taken into custody at his residence on Wednesday, June 14 at 9 am.  The arrest was a result of a lengthy and detailed investigation following the reported shooting last March at approximately 6:30 pm.  Captain Amato stated, “On that date, the 61-year old male victim reported that while walking in the area of Chosin Few Way and East 40th Street, an unknown male ran towards him, brandished a firearm and shot him in the leg. The unknown male then fled northbound on Chosin Few Way as the victim made his way to the Costco parking lot where bystanders were able to summon the police. As a result of the shooting, the victim suffered a single gunshot wound to the leg and was transported to an area hospital for treatment.” 

An investigation was begun by the Bayonne Police Detective Bureau into the shooting, which resulted in Johnson being positively identified as the shooter.   Yesterday Johnson was arrested without incident at his home.  Captain Amato adds that detectives recovered a .45 caliber Haskell semi-automatic firearm, which was the firearm used in the shooting,  “and numerous additional items of evidence that linked Johnson to the shooting.”

Detective also learned that Johnson was classified as a certain person to not possess a firearm. 

He has been charged with aggravated assault [with a deadly weapon], possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a firearm, certain persons not to possess a firearm, and endangering an injured victim.