Man Dies from May Shooting in Bergen-Lafayette

A Jersey City man has died from gunshot wounds suffered in a May shooting in Bergen-Lafayette.

According to Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez, on May 8th at approximately 5:20 p.m. the Jersey City Police Department responded to the area of Forrest Street and Martin Luther King Drive after receiving reports of “shots fired.” Upon arriving, they found a man – later identified as Reginald Williams, 32, of Jersey City – lying in the street near 299 Forrest Street.

Williams was taken by Emergency Medical Services to Jersey City Medical Center where he died on May 25.  The Regional Medical Examiner’s Office has determined that Williams died from complications stemming from the gunshot wounds to his torso. The Medical Examiner ruled the “Manner of Death” a homicide.

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit has now joined the Jersey City Police Department in investigating the shooting.

Isiah Smith, 18, of Jersey City, was arrested at his home on May 17, 2022 in connection with the shooting. A handgun, high capacity magazine, and hollow point bullets were recovered.

Smith is charged with Murder; two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon; Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose; two counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Minor; Possession of Prohibited Weapons and Devices; Possession of Prohibited Weapons and Devices and Receiving Stolen Property. 

During the course of the investigation, the Jersey City Police Department determined Reginald Williams had an open warrant and until the time of his death was placed into the custodial care of the Jersey City Police Department and the Hudson County Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation at Jersey City Medical Center. 

Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit and the Jersey City Police Department with the arrest and investigation.