TWO CHARGED IN FATAL SHOOTING THAT KILLED TWO MEN AND INJURED FOUR OTHER PEOPLE ON CRESCENT AVENUE AND BRINKERHOFF STREET IN JERSEY CITY

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit has charged two suspects in the May 21, 2021 fatal shooting that left two Jersey City men dead and four other people injured on Crescent Avenue and Brinkerhoff Street in Jersey City.

Cooleone McNeil, age 21, of Jersey City, was apprehended and arrested on Thursday, August 5, 2021, shortly after 4:30 p.m. by members of the United States Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force (Hudson County Team) at 651 Kapkowski Road, Elizabeth, New Jersey (AMC Jersey Gardens 20) without incident.

McNeil has been charged with two counts of Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3A(1)(2), a crime of the first degree; Conspiracy to Commit Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2A(1)/2C:11-3A(1)(2); a crime of the first degree, four counts of Attempted Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1A(1)/2C:11-3A(2), a crime of the first degree; two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (handgun) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5B(1), a crime of the second degree; and Possession of a Weapon (handgun) for Unlawful Purposes in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4A(1), a crime of the second degree.

A second suspect in the shooting, Omire Rios-Williams – who is already detained pending trial at the Hudson County Correctional Center in Kearny for the May 3, 2021 murder of Emmanuel Garcia – was also charged Thursday night.

Rios-Williams, age 19, of Jersey City, was charged with two counts of Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3A(1)(2), a crime of the first degree; Conspiracy to Commit Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2A(1)/2C:11-3A(1)(2); a crime of the first degree, four counts of Attempted Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1A(1)/2C:11-3A(2), a crime of the first-degree; two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (handgun) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5B(1), a crime of the second degree; and Possession of a Weapon (handgun) for Unlawful Purposes in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4A(1), a crime of the second degree.

On Friday, May 21, 2021, shortly before 11:00 p.m., the Jersey City Police Department received multiple reports of gunshots fired in the area of Crescent Avenue and Brinkerhoff Street in Jersey City. Police Officers responded to the area and found a total of six victims of gunshot wounds. Two of the victims suffered fatal injuries. All of the victims are Jersey City residents.

Responding officers to the area found an unresponsive male in a vehicle in the area of Crescent Avenue and Brinkerhoff Street with a gunshot wound to the torso. The male, later identified as Randolph Black Jr., age 25, was transported by Emergency Medical Services to Jersey City Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at approximately 11:15 p.m.

Officers also found a second unresponsive male at the corner of Crescent Avenue and Brinkerhoff Street with multiple gunshot wounds to his torso and extremities. The male, later identified as Jason Crutcher, age 26, was treated at the scene before being transported by EMS to JCMC. He was pronounced dead at approximately 11:50 p.m.

A third male, age 26, was found in the area of 55 Crescent Avenue with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper torso. A fourth victim, age 25, was found with multiple gunshot wounds to his lower torso and a lower extremity. They were both treated at the scene before being transported by EMS to JCMC for treatment.

A fifth male, age 35, suffered a gunshot wound to an upper extremity. He was transported privately to JCMC where he was treated for his injuries.

A female victim, age 20, was found inside a business located at 110 Monticello Avenue where she was being treated for multiple gunshot wounds. She was transported by EMS to JCMC where she was treated for her injuries.

Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit, the Jersey City Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force (Hudson County Team) for the investigation and arrests.

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