The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office has identified the dead in last night’s mass shooting as Randolph Black Jr., 25, and Jason Crutcher, 26, both of Jersey City. The shooting, in which four other people were wounded, took place in the area of Crescent Ave. & Brinkerhoff St., near Lincoln High School.
According to sources, local residents have complained of regular drug dealing in the area.
According to Mayor Fulop, who wrote a lengthy post on Facebook this morning, six people “were sitting in a car, and two shooters walked up to that specific car and began firing.”
The Gun Violence Archive defines a mass shooting incident as one where four or more people are shot.
The HCPO identified the wounded as three men, aged 25, 26 and 35, and a woman, aged 20. All are receiving treatment at Jersey City Medical Center and are in stable condition. All are Jersey City residents.
The Jersey Journal reported that radio transmissions indicated that the police are looking for a gray SUV that drove away from the area going the wrong way down a one-way street.
There have been twelve confirmed homicides in Jersey City so far this year putting it on track to log in six months more than the total 13 homicides recorded in 2019. Jersey City has not disclosed crime data for 2020.
Homicides have spiked nationally since the onset of the pandemic with New York City homicides up by almost 40 percent in 2020 and another 17 percent so far in 2021.
The homicide unit of the Jersey City Prosecutor’s office is actively investigating this case with assistance from the Jersey City Police Department. No arrests have been made at this time. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor at 201-915-1345 or leave an anonymous tip on the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office website. All information will be kept confidential.