Weehawken, NJ – The quiet streets of Weehawken were disturbed by gunfire on Thursday evening, leading to the death of a young man and the arrest of an elderly resident.
The incident unfolded shortly after 7 p.m. on August 15, 2024, when the Weehawken Police Department received reports of shots fired near Park Avenue, between 37th and 41st Streets. Upon arrival, officers discovered Jhonnier Gamboa Acosta, a 24-year-old local, suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite immediate medical attention and transportation to Jersey City Medical Center, Acosta was pronounced dead at 8:14 p.m.
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office has taken over the investigation, working in tandem with local law enforcement. During the preliminary stages of the investigation, authorities apprehended Juan Perez, a 67-year-old from the area, as a person of interest. Perez has now been formally charged with:
Murder under N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1)
Unlawful Possession of a Weapon under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5b(1)
Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4a(1)
Perez is currently detained at the Hudson County Correctional Facility, awaiting his first court appearance. The charges against him are severe, but under the law, he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The Regional Medical Examiner’s Office is expected to release further details on the cause and manner of Acosta’s death, which could provide additional insights into this tragic incident. As the investigation progresses, the community awaits more information, hoping for closure and understanding in this unexpected tragedy.