HOBOKEN, N.J. — A Lodi man has been charged with murder following a fatal shooting near the Hoboken waterfront, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez announced Friday.
After receiving multiple tips, authorities launched an investigation into the reported shooting of 23-year-old Julio Flores of Passaic, which allegedly occurred on February 1 near Castle Point Skate Park. Prosecutors say Erick Fernandez, 26, fatally shot Flores, stole his personal belongings and vehicle, and later returned to the scene to dispose of his body in the Hudson River.
Law enforcement agencies have been conducting water searches to recover Flores’ body, but as of Friday, it has not been found. After a four-day investigation, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit issued an arrest warrant for Fernandez on February 6. At the time, he was already in custody at the Garfield Police Department on an unrelated matter.
Fernandez faces multiple charges, including murder, felony murder, robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon, and desecration of human remains. He is being held at the Hudson County Correctional Facility pending his first court appearance.