One week after 19-year-old Jose Lazaro Urias-Hernandez was fatally shot in the head on his stoop in West New York, local residents are still in shock.
“He was just starting life.” – Ledia Ramos
____________
Urias-Hernandez, who was shot on July 1 around midnight, was found on the ground at 427 53rd St. after police responded to a report of shots fired. He was pronounced dead at 12:35 a.m.
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office announced on July 3 that 20-year-old Juan Carlos Garcia-Gomez of Union City was arrested at his Central Avenue home and charged with the killing. According to the prosecutor’s office, the shooting is still under investigation and a motive has not been determined.
The victim, Urias-Hernandez, was originally from El Salvador. He worked at River View Diner in North Bergen and attended West New York’s Zoni Language Center, according to published reports.
“Honestly, nothing like this happens around here. That’s why I was so surprised when I found out,” said Maria L., who has lived in West New York for over 12 years and declined to provide her full name.
Maria, who does her laundry at Park’s Super Laundromat directly adjacent to Urias-Hernandez’s home, said shootings in the area are “rare.”
Remembered by the community
Since the death, a memorial has been set up on Urias-Hernandez’ porch with his bicycle, candles, flowers, and balloons. A poster, with a photo of the 19-year-old fixed in the center, is attached to the railing with messages from friends and family: “We Miss You,” “R.I.P Bro,” “You will be missed by everyone!”
“Before when I first moved here, it was a violent area, but it slowed down and now not much happens, almost never,” said Juan Valdon, a West New York resident for over 15 years who said he learned of the shooting while walking by the memorial. “I think we need more surveillance and more police so we could maintain safety.”
According to Hudson County Prosecutor Guy Gregory, Garcia-Gomez was charged with murder, possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a firearm. Bail was set at $750,000 cash.
Those interested in donating to Urias-Hernandez’ family are encouraged to call Angelica Urias-Hernandez at (201) 921-7228. Anyone with information about his murder is asked to contact the Prosecutor’s Office’s Homicide Unit at (201) 915-1345 or by email to hcpotips@hcpo.org. All contacts will be kept confidential.