WEEHAWKEN, N.J. — A 24-year-old man was fatally shot Thursday evening in Weehawken, prompting an investigation by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit and the Weehawken Police Department. The victim, identified as Jhonnier Gamboa Acosta, was found with gunshot wounds in the area of Park Avenue between 37th Street and 41st Street shortly after 7 p.m.
Officers responded to the scene after receiving reports of shots fired. Acosta was transported to Jersey City Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 8:14 p.m. The cause and manner of death are pending an examination by the Regional Medical Examiner’s Office.
A suspect, 67-year-old Juan Perez, was apprehended during the preliminary investigation by members of the Union City and Weehawken Police Departments. Perez has been charged with murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. He is being held at the Hudson County Correctional Facility awaiting his first court appearance.
“The charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said in a statement.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities crediting the collaborative efforts of the Homicide Unit, Weehawken Police Department, and Union City Police Department for the swift arrest.