Juvenile to be tried as adult in fatal Bayonne shooting
Bayonne, NJ – A case that began with a deadly shooting inside a Bayonne apartment in 2024 has moved into adult criminal court, as prosecutors announced a juvenile suspect will now face charges as an adult in the killing of a 17-year-old victim.
Hudson County Prosecutor Wayne Mello said the juvenile charged in the fatal shooting of John Dominguez has been waived up to criminal court. The defendant, Ramel Johnson, now 19 and of Jersey City, was 17 years old at the time of the incident.
Johnson is charged with manslaughter, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon under New Jersey law.
The shooting occurred shortly before 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 21, when first responders were called to an apartment at 124 West Third Street for a report of an unresponsive male. The victim, later identified as Dominguez of Bayonne, was transported to Bayonne Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead just after 3 p.m.
The Regional Medical Examiner’s Office determined Dominguez died from a gunshot wound to the torso and ruled the manner of death a homicide.
Prosecutors emphasized that the charges are accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Key Points
- A juvenile charged in a 2024 Bayonne fatal shooting will be prosecuted as an adult
- Ramel Johnson faces manslaughter and multiple weapons charges
- The victim, 17-year-old John Dominguez, died from a gunshot wound inside a Bayonne apartment
