6 arrested, 3 guns seized after Bayonne teen shot on West 23rd Street

BAYONNE, N.J. — Bayonne police say six people were taken into custody and three illegal firearms recovered after a teenager was shot in the leg near West 23rd Street and Church Lane on the afternoon of Sept. 23, according to a Bayonne Police Department release.

Charges are allegations.

Officers responded to reports of shots fired at that intersection at about 4:15 p.m., the department said. Investigators recovered three spent shell casings at the scene.

Joseph Pilovsky, 18, of Bayonne, arrived at RWJBarnabas Health – Bayonne with a gunshot wound to the leg, police said. He was treated and listed in stable condition.

Minutes later, officers located a vehicle believed involved in the incident near Route 440 North and 30th Street. Taken into custody from the vehicle, according to police, were Quamere Allen, 18, of Bayonne; Jayshawn Smith, 18, of Jersey City; and two juveniles from Jersey City.

A third juvenile — identified by investigators as the person who fired the weapon and who had left the vehicle before the stop — was later located at a residence and taken into custody, police said. A loaded firearm believed used in the shooting was recovered, according to the department.

As the investigation continued, police said Pilovsky allegedly possessed two loaded firearms during the incident and pointed one toward the suspect vehicle. Both of those firearms were recovered, and Pilovsky was arrested and charged, the department said.

Charges listed (allegations)

Three juveniles (ages 17; one from Bayonne and two from Jersey City — names withheld): Criminal Attempt-Murder; possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose; unlawful possession of a weapon; possession of a firearm by a minor; and conspiracy.

Quamere Allen, 18, Bayonne, and Jayshawn Smith, 18, Jersey City: Criminal Attempt-Murder; possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose; unlawful possession of a weapon; and conspiracy.

Joseph Pilovsky, 18, Bayonne: aggravated assault with a weapon; possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (two counts); unlawful possession of a weapon (two counts); and possession of prohibited weapons (large capacity magazine).

“The quick response by our patrol officers and the immediate investigative efforts of our Detective Bureau resulted in the rapid identification and apprehension of those involved in this incident, as well as the recovery of the firearm believed to have been used in the shooting,” said Chief Scerbo. “This investigation demonstrates the commitment of our officers to holding those responsible for violent acts accountable and removing three illegal firearms from our streets. Our detectives will continue to pursue every lead as this investigation remains ongoing.”

All charges are allegations. Those named are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The investigation is ongoing, according to the Bayonne Police Department.

Source: Bayonne Police Department.