JERSEY CITY – A shooting that left one man dead last week in Jersey City may be connected to two other shootings that occurred in Jersey City that day.
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the May 27 fatal shooting of Larry Darnell Freeman, a 50-year-old Jersey City man who was shot dead on Sackett Street. Investigators believe that Freeman was not the target of the shooting, but was hit by a stray bullet.
But another 18-year-old Jersey City man was struck by a bullet near Martin Luther King Drive a short time later.
Later that same afternoon, a 45-year-old woman was struck by a bullet in the Martin Luther King Drive area.
So far, there have been no arrests in the three shooting but the arrest of two men on May 29 on weapons offenses was said to be related to guns linked to the Sackett Street homicide, an official said in court when the pair made their first court appearance on the charges.
Anyone with information on the incidents is asked to call the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office at 201-915 – 1345.
Residents have been complaining for months about the increased number of shootings along MLK Drive.
“We need more foot patrols and community policing,” said Kim Jerdio, during the public portion of the May 27 City Council meeting. “A man was shot yesterday. It’s like the Wild West with gun shootings all over and continues into the night time.”
Jerdio said there are incidents in cars and sometimes involve children.
Lack of jobs for residents of the community is one of the reasons why there is increased violence, Jerdio said.
“On some nights there are 50 people on every corner. They have nothing concrete to do.”
Bruce Alston, a candidate for the state Assembly and a community activist, said people in the neighborhood are scared.
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