A 39-year-old man was fatally shot in Jersey City on Saturday afternoon before crashing his vehicle into a tree, according to the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office.
The Jersey City Police Department responded to reports of a motor vehicle crash in the area of Old Bergen Road and Merritt Street shortly after 4:00 p.m. Officers arriving at the scene found an unresponsive male in the driver’s seat of a vehicle that had collided with a tree.
The victim, later identified as Devon Reid of Elizabeth, was discovered with a gunshot wound to the neck. He was transported to Jersey City Medical Center by emergency medical personnel, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 7:16 p.m.
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit has taken the lead in the investigation in coordination with Jersey City police. Authorities have not released any information regarding possible suspects or a motive in the shooting.
The vehicle crash occurred in a residential area, and investigators are working to determine whether Reid was shot before losing control of the vehicle or while driving.
Cause of death pending medical examiner’s report
The Regional Medical Examiner’s Office is conducting an autopsy to determine the official cause and manner of death. No further information has been released about how many shots were fired or where the shooting may have occurred.
Devon Reid’s death marks another homicide investigation for Jersey City police and Hudson County prosecutors, who have responded to a series of violent incidents in recent months. No arrests have been announced in connection with this case.
The prosecutor’s office has not stated whether there were any witnesses to the shooting or if surveillance footage from the area is being reviewed.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit.
