FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Raymond Worrall
PHONE: (201) 795-6400 Ext. 6737
EMAIL: rworrall@hcpo.org
TWITTER: @HCPOProsecutor
WEB: hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org
DATE: Thursday, June 8, 2017
UPDATE: POLICE-INVOLVED SHOOTING IN JERSEY CITY INVESTIGATED
The investigation into the events of Sunday night in Jersey City is ongoing. Additionally, the investigation will include the video being utilized by media outlets involving the crash victim at the conclusion of the police pursuit.
In response to the public and media inquiry into these events, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following statement:
“I am asking the community to withhold any judgment until the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor concludes its investigation,” said Prosecutor Suarez. “There will be a swift and fair review of all the evidence being accumulated, but it would be irresponsible to rush to judgment without reviewing all of the facts before us.”
“In order to properly investigate this matter we will need to conduct and review multiple crash investigations involving more than five vehicles, review over 15 videos containing several hours of evidence, interview more than 20 witnesses and conduct a ballistics investigation into multiple shootings,” said Prosecutor Suarez. “We will consider this evidence in its entirety as we investigate the actions of all individuals who were involved with the events of Sunday night in Jersey City and we are asking for patience from the public.”
Speaking specifically about the video being used by various media outlets, Prosecutor Suarez said, “I’d like to thank the individual who came forward with this video and I’d like the public to know that we welcome their help. Our investigators have reviewed this video and we believe with certainty that this man is the 28-year old bystander from West New York, not Leo Pinkston, the individual being pursued by police. We will utilize all resources available to the Prosecutor’s Office for a full and thorough investigation as we seek to bring this matter to a rightful conclusion.”
On Sunday, June 4, 2017, shortly after 11:00 p.m., Jersey City Police Officers attempted to stop a vehicle in the area of Ocean and Cator avenues in Jersey City. The vehicle fled the area and was pursued by officers.
The fleeing driver, Leo C. Pinkston, age 48, of Jersey City, was involved in at least two separate automobile crashes. The first crash occurred as he attempted to drive between two lanes of traffic while travelling on Tonnelle Avenue.
Multiple shots were fired at the suspect by Jersey City Police Officers.
Several blocks later, Pinkston crashed into a utility pole causing a fire and injuring an innocent male victim who was also driving on Tonnelle Avenue. The victim, Miguel Feliz-Rodriguez, age 28, of West New York, was transported by Emergency Medical Services to The Burn Center at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston. He is currently in stable condition.
Pinkston, who made his first appearance in court today, has been charged with one count of Eluding in violation of N.J.S. 2C:29-2(b), a second-degree crime; and one count of Aggravated Assault in violation of N.J.S. 2C:12-1(b)(6), a second-degree crime. He is being held at the Hudson County Correctional Facility. His next court appearance is a detention hearing which is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Thursday, June 15, 2017.
Anyone with additional information or video about this case 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 is presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6).