Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez announced this afternoon that the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit has joined the Jersey City Police Department in investigating a shooting that occurred on Sunday, May 8, 2022 after the victim died from his injuries on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
At approximately 5:20 p.m. on Sunday, May 8, 2022, the Jersey City Police Department responded to the area of Forrest Street and Martin Luther King Drive on reports of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers found a man – later identified as 32-year old Reginald Williams of Jersey City, lying in the street near 299 Forrest Street with apparent gunshot wounds to his torso. He was transported by Emergency Medical Services to Jersey City Medical Center where he died on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
The Regional Medical Examiner’s Office determined William’s cause of death to be complications from gunshot wounds to the torso and the manner of death to be homicide. Isiah Smith, age 18 of Jersey City, was arrested at his home on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 in connection with the shooting. A handgun, high capacity magazine, and hollow point bullets were recovered.
Smith is charged with murder, a crime of the first degree; two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon, crimes of the second degree; possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, a crime of the second degree; two counts of possession of a firearm by a minor, crimes of the fourth degree; possession of prohibited weapons and devices, a crime of the fourth degree; possession of prohibited weapons and devices, a crime of the fourth degree; and receiving stolen property, a crime of the third degree.
During the course of the investigation, the Jersey City Police Department determined Reginald Williams had an open warrant and was placed into the custodial care of the Jersey City Police Department and the Hudson County Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation at Jersey City Medical Center until the time of his death.
Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit and the Jersey City Police Department with the arrest and investigation.
The above charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.