Two arrests in shooting of teen; eighth homicide in JC
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office announced last week that arrests had been made in connection with the shooting death of a 17-year-old Jersey City teen.
Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio said Tashawn Holmes, 18, was arrested Wednesday morning by officers of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office and the Jersey City Police Department at an apartment building on Bergen Avenue in Jersey City.
DeFazio said Pedro Roman Jr., of Bartholdi Avenue, was shot Tuesday afternoon after a confrontation with two other teens at around 3 p.m. in Ferris Triangle Park on the corner of Old Bergen Road and Bartholdi Avenue. DeFazio said Holmes is alleged to have been the shooter.
DeFazio said the alleged shooting may have stemmed from a prior dispute.
DeFazio said Holmes is charged with murder and related weapons offenses. A $1 million bail was set for Holmes after he made an appearance in front of state Superior Court Judge Kevin Callahan Wednesday afternoon.
Roman’s death is the eighth homicide in Jersey City so far this year, according to DeFazio, with seven committed by handgun.
On Thursday, Christopher Grant, 18, of Jersey City, was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. DeFazio said it is believed that Grant provided the gun Holmes used to shoot Roman.
Anyone with more information on Roman’s killing should call the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Squad at (201) 915-1345.
Cinco de Mayo Parade coming May 1
In celebration of the rebirth and renewal of South Grove, the vibrant downtown area in front of City Hall, the 2009 Cinco de Mayo Parade and Fiesta has been scheduled for Friday, May 1 at 4 p.m. on Grove Street (between Montgomery and Mercer streets) in Jersey City.
Just a few years ago, Grove Street was filled with empty store fronts, boarded-up buildings and no life.
The development of the Majestic Theatre Condominiums and the arrival of The Merchant, Tia’s Place, Yoga Shunya, Antheia Floral Design, Weichert Realtors and Bar Majestic, as well as Beechwood Cafe, Marco and Pepe, Skin Organix, Taqueria, and more, are making South Grove one of the most exciting neighborhoods in the city.
This year the parade’s distinguished honorees are: Zelia Corey, Capital One Bank; Stephen D’Agostino, Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson; Jack Dempsey, Hudson County Engineering; Claudia Fernandez and Rolando Ricardez, residents of Majestic Theatre Condominiums; Siobhan S. O’Sullivan, EuroHypo Bank; Wendy Perez, Kennedy School-PS 9; Assemblywoman Joan M. Quigley (D-32nd District) and Samantha Trice, Hamilton Park Montessori School.
Dog networking event in JC
Liberty Humane Society and Liberty Science Center are teaming up to present the first “Single, Mingle and Bark” pet lovers’ singles event. It will take place on May 1 from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Liberty Science Center, 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City.
There will be wine tasting and light fare (nibbles), music and a silent auction. All proceeds from the event and the silent auction will benefit LHS and the Liberty Science Center.
Cost for pre-registration will be $25, and $30 at the door.
Dress code is casual and will be held rain or shine. For more information, contact Janet at Janet@libertyhumane.org or (201) 547-4147.
Family event at JC Museum
Families are invited to join Jersey City Museum for the Party City! Family Project Day on Saturday, May 2 at 1 p.m.
The afternoon will include age appropriate craft stations in the studio classrooms from 1-3 p.m. and stories in the galleries concurrently. Inspired by the museum’s current exhibitions, guests of all ages will be able to create site plan puzzles, fold paper into buildings or make their own dream city from recycled materials at the craft stations.
At 3 p.m., a special performance in the museum’s theater by The Saint Dominic Academy Dominoes will take place.
Jersey City Museum is located at 350 Montgomery St. at Monmouth Street, in the Historic Downtown District of Jersey City. For more information, visit www.jerseycitymuseum.org or call (201) 413-0303.
Music festival in JC
On Sunday, May 3 at 4 p.m., St. Paul’s Church, 144 Hoboken Ave., Jersey City, will host the first concert of Con Vivo’s Spring Quartet Festival, playing music by living composers of the U.S. and South Africa.
Jersey City’s first annual String Festival is organized and presented by Con Vivo, a collective of musicians including some of the NYC area’s finest soloists and rising stars. The Spring Festival is supported by a grant from the Hudson County Department of Cultural and Heritage Affairs.
For more information, go to www.convivomusic.org.
Canine cancer 5K run/walk
“Bark for the cure,” a tri-state 5K run/walk hosted by Freshpet, will be held on May 9 at Liberty State Park in Jersey City.
The event will help benefit canine cancer research.
Registration will begin at 7 a.m., with the event starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 1 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 on race day and $1 per dog.
There will be activities for the whole family. There will be an awards ceremony for the top fundraisers and dog agility exhibitions, a search and rescue demonstration, and dog food sampling stations.
All proceeds will go to the Freshpet Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization whose goal is to support nutritional research in the areas of prevention, care and treatment of diseases in dogs. For more information, call (212) 253-8777.