FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Caitlin Mota
PHONE: (201) 577-6699
EMAIL: cmota@hcpo.org
DATE: Thursday, December 29, 2022

FOURTH JUVENILE CHARGED IN ALTERCATION LEADING UP TO FATAL STABBING OF TEEN IN UNION CITY

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

A fourth juvenile has been arrested in connection with an incident leading up to the fatal stabbing of a 15-year-old male in Union City on Tuesday, December 20, 2022.

The 16-year-old Union City male is charged as a juvenile with Armed Robbery in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1a(1), a crime of the first degree; Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1 and 2C:15-1, a crime of the first degree; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (stick) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5d, a crime of the fourth degree; and Possession of a Weapon (stick) for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4d, a crime of the third degree.

A preliminary investigation by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit determined a total of five juveniles were involved in an altercation prior to two of the juveniles being stabbed.

Three additional juveniles were previously arrested and charged. A 16-year-old Union City male is charged as a juvenile with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (knife) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5d, a crime of the fourth degree; Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (knife) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4d, a crime of the third degree; and Possession of a Weapon (knife) While Committing a CDS Offense in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1c, a crime of the second degree. A 15-year-old Jersey City female and a 15-year-old Jersey City male are charged as juveniles with Armed Robbery in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1, a crime of the first degree; Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1 and 2C:15-1, a crime of the first degree; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (stick) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5d, a crime of the fourth degree; and Possession of a Weapon (stick) for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4d, a crime of the third degree.

Juvenile matters are confidential and no additional information can be released at this time.

On Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at approximately 6:24 p.m., the Union City Police Department was notified of a stabbing in the area of 40th Street and New York Avenue. Responding officers located two juvenile males in the area of 40th Street and Bergenline Avenue each with an apparent stab wound. Allen Flores, 15, of Union City, was transported to Christ Hospital in Jersey City and was pronounced dead at 7:08 p.m. A second juvenile, a 16-year-old Union City male, was treated at Jersey City Medical Center for serious injuries and has since been released.

The above charges are merely accusations and the juveniles are presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6)