Three Individuals Charged with Murder in Connection to 2019 Jersey City Shooting

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez announced on Monday that three individuals have been charged with murder in connection to a 2019 shooting in Jersey City. The defendants, Austin Be-Kwao, 25, Malcolm Horton, 36, and Khadijah Neal, 36, all of Newark, are each facing charges of murder, conspiracy, and unlawful possession of a weapon.

According to the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit, on September 3, 2019, the Jersey City Police Department was notified of a shooting on Wegman Parkway between Bergen Avenue and Martin Luther King Drive. The victim, Lawrence Reid, 31, was found with an apparent gunshot wound to the upper body and was transported to Jersey City Medical Center. Reid died on November 20, 2020, and the Regional Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death to be complications of a gunshot wound, with the manner being homicide.

The three defendants are currently in custody on separate matters and will remain in custody pending their first court appearances. Prosecutor Suarez credited the Homicide Unit and the Jersey City Police Department with the investigation.

The charges against the defendants are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The case is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as they become available.

This incident highlights the importance of thorough investigations and holding those responsible for violent crimes accountable. The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office and the Jersey City Police Department are committed to working together to ensure that justice is served for victims and their families.