FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Caitlin Mota
PHONE: (201) 577-6699
EMAIL: cmota@hcpo.org
DATE: Friday, February 18, 2022
THREE CHARGED FOR THEIR ROLES IN 2021 SHOOTING THAT LEFT MAN DEAD IN JERSEY CITY
Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:
Following an investigation by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit, three individuals have been charged in connection with the May 14, 2021 Jersey City shooting incident, which led to the death of Stebbin Drew.
Rahoo Drew, 42, of Newark, was arrested at his home on Sylvan Avenue on Thursday, January 27, 2022 by members of the Homicide Unit, the Jersey City Police Department Street Crimes Unit, and the Newark Police Department. He is charged with Attempted Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1a, two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5b(1), two counts of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4a(1), and Aggravated Assault by Pointing a Firearm in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(4). He is being held at the Hudson County Correctional Facility through the course of his prosecution.
Rashawn Harrison, 28, of Jersey City, was arrested on Danforth Avenue in Jersey City by members of the United States Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force on Friday, February 11, 2022. He is charged with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A 2C:39-5b(1). The State’s Detention Motion was granted by a Superior Court Judge on Friday, February 18, 2022.
John Smith, 40, of Jersey City, surrendered himself to detectives at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office on Friday, February 18, 2022. He is charged with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5b(1) and Certain Persons Not to Have Weapons in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7b(1). He was remanded to the Hudson County Correctional Facility pending his first court appearance.
On Friday, May 14, 2021, at approximately 1:50 a.m., the Jersey City Police Department received a report of shots fired in the area of the City Crossings Apartments parking lot located at Merseles Court and Bright Street in Jersey City. Upon arrival, responding Police Officers found an apparent lifeless male victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the torso. The victim, later identified as Stebbin Drew, 37, of East Orange, was transported by Emergency Medical Services to Jersey City Medical Center. He was pronounced dead at approximately 2:15 a.m.
Prosecutor Suarez credited the Homicide Unit, the Jersey City Police Department Street Crimes Unit, the Newark Police Department, and the United States Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force with making the arrests.
The above charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6)