20-year old Jaliyl Johnson, a resident of Bayonne, was apprehended by the Hoboken Police following an intensive 14-month investigation following a carjacking and shooting in March 2022. The arrest marks a significant breakthrough in the case, which had caused fear and concern among the local community.
According to Hoboken Police, on March 28, 2022, at approximately 7:45 p.m. Johnson approached a man who was in his car in a parking lot between 540 and 560 Marshall Drive, pulled a gun out of his waistband, and pointed it at the victim’s head. When the victim ran out of the car, Johnson fired a shot in his direction. No one was physically injured in the shooting.
Police say Johnson fled the scene in the victim’s stolen vehicle driven by a juvenile who turned himself in to the Hoboken Police Department a few days after the incident. The juvenile was charged with carjacking, conspiracy to commit carjacking, possession of a firearm for unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a firearm, and aggravated assault.
Following months of further investigation, detectives were able to identify Johnson as the perpetrator behind the carjacking and the triggerman in the shooting.
“I am extremely proud of the hard work, dedication, and timeless effort our team put into this incident,” said Chief Steven Aguiar. “It is a testament that our department will not tolerate violent criminal activity in the City of Hoboken, and that any investigation will not end until justice has been served.”
Hoboken Police arrested Johnson without incident in Jersey City on May 16, 2023, with the assistance of the New Jersey State Park Police.
Johnson has been charged with criminal attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, carjacking, conspiracy to commit carjacking, employing a juvenile in the commission of a crime, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, use of a juvenile in an automobile theft, receiving stolen property, aggravated assault while pointing a firearm, and possession of a firearm by a person under 21 years of age.
The arrest of Johnson provides a sense of relief to the community, which has been on edge due to the nature of the crime.
The charges against Johnson are allegations and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
