FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Raymond Worrall

PHONE: (201) 795-6400 Ext. 6737

EMAIL:  rworrall@hcpo.org

TWITTER: @HCPOProsecutor

WEB: www.hcpo.org

DATE: March 4, 2019

MAN ARRESTED IN BOSTON AFTER BEING CHARGED IN JERSEY CITY MURDER   

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

On February 28, 2019, at approximately 10:00 p.m., members of the Boston Police Department in Massachusetts arrested Victor Lopez, age 52, of Jersey City, in connection with the murder of Brandon Magwood in late February in Jersey City.

On February 26, 2019, after an investigation by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit and the Jersey City Police Department, a warrant was issued for the arrest of Lopez. He has been charged with Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3; Possession of a Weapon (Handgun) for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4; and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Handgun) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5; and Certain Persons Not To Have a Firearm in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7b.

Lopez is currently pending extradition back to Hudson County.

Prosecutor Suarez credited the investigation leading to the arrest to the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit, along with the assistance of the Jersey City Police Department. She also credited the Boston Police Department with the actual arrest.

On February 24, 2019, at approximately 7:25 a.m., the Jersey City Police Department received a report of an unresponsive male at 410 Monmouth Street in Jersey City. Responding Jersey City Police Officers found an unresponsive male, later identified as Magwood, age 35, of Jersey City. He was pronounced dead at approximately 7:40 a.m. The Regional Medical Examiner’s Office determined the Cause of death to be a gunshot wound and the Manner of death to be homicide.

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