FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Raymond Worrall
PHONE: (201) 795-6400 Ext. 6737
EMAIL: rworrall@hcpo.org
TWITTER: @HCPOProsecutor
WEB: hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org
DATE: Tuesday, September 6, 2017
FOUR ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH AUGUST 13TH HOMICIDE
Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:
On September 5, 2017, at approximately 3:20 p.m., the Prosecutor’s Homicide Unit with assistance from the Jersey City Police Department arrested Zafarri Francis, age 18, of Jersey City. He was arrested in connection with a shooting incident that occurred on August 13, 2017, on Forrest Street in Jersey City, where two victims were injured — one fatally.
Francis, who was arrested without incident, was scheduled for his first appearance hearing today in Criminal Justice Reform Court.
Francis has been charged with Murder in violation of N.J.S. 2C:11-3, a first-degree crime; Attempted Murder in violation of N.J.S. 2C:11-3, a first-degree crime; Conspiracy to Commit Murder in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2 and 2C:11-3, a first-degree crime; Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S. 2C:39-4, a second-degree crime; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S. 2C:39-5, a second-degree crime; and Receiving Stolen Property in violation of N.J.S. 2C:20-7, a third-degree crime.
Additionally, three male juveniles have been arrested in connection with this incident. Two of the juveniles are from Jersey City, ages 16 and 17-years-old. The third juvenile is a 16-year-old from Newark.
All three juveniles have been charged with Murder in violation of N.J.S. 2C:11-3, a first-degree crime; Attempted Murder in violation of N.J.S. 2C:11-3, a first-degree crime; Conspiracy to Commit Murder in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2 and 2C:11-3, a first-degree crime; Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S. 2C:39-4, a second-degree crime; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S. 2C:39-5, a second-degree crime; and Receiving Stolen Property in violation of N.J.S. 2C:20-7, a third-degree crime.
On August 13, 2017, at approximately 1:25 p.m., Jersey City Police Officers responded to a report of possible gunshots fired in the area of Forrest Street in Jersey City. Upon arrival, officers found a victim at 322 Forrest Street with apparent multiple gunshot wounds.
The victim, later identified as Jaharee Broadway, age 19, of Jersey City, was immediately transported by Emergency Medical Services to Jersey City Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at approximately 2:15 p.m. A medical examiner has determined the cause of Broadway’s death to be multiple gunshot wounds and the manner of death to be homicide.
A second victim, age 22, of Jersey City, was also located and found to be suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was also transported by EMS to JCMC where he received treatment for his non-life-threatening injuries.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor at 201-915-1345 or to leave an anonymous tip on the Hudson County Prosecutor’s official website at http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/ . All information will be kept confidential.
The above charges are merely accusations, and the defendant and the juveniles are presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6).