Safety Meeting To Be Held In Hoboken Public Housing, After Shooting

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken Public Safety Director Ken Ferrante said Tuesday that he expects to get questions Wednesday night — at a pre-scheduled public safety “pop up” meeting in the Housing Authority — about the shooting of a teenager in the city on Monday. He also gave updates on the incident and shared thoughts on gun violence in the area.

In the wake of a rash of school shootings committed in the last few weeks, parents were asking questions on social media Monday night after a Hoboken teenager was shot outside a youth flag football game in progress.

While the shooting appeared unrelated to the game, Ferrante said in an interview Tuesday that police are not sure of the motive and continue to investigate.

Ferrante said that the 17-year-old boy who was shot was in a group of three or four people he knew, and was “confronted” by another group. He said police are investigating to determine who the shooter was, which town the other individuals were from, and the motive.

The teen was shot after 9 p.m. in the area of Fourth and Jackson streets, in the city’s public housing neighborhood.

Monday night, the victim, who was shot in the neck, was treated at Jersey City Medical Center and released.

Ferrante said that an officer was patrolling nearby, heard gunfire, and immediately called in the shooting. Ferrante said that because of this, that officer and two other nearby officers were able to render first aid immediately.

He said that police will beef up patrols in the area.

Ferrante noted, in response to questions from the public about why the city didn’t put out an alert on Monday night, that he has asked the city to hold off. He said that because the victim was under 18, and because the extent of his injuries was unknown, it was policy to wait. Had the crime turned into a homicide, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office would have taken over the investigation.

Ferrante said that six casings were found near the site, so there were six shots fired. (Late Tuesday update: The city said a total of eight were found, as a nearby window was also struck, but no one else was injured.)

Ferrante said a loaded 9 mm handgun was found nearby, and it will take days to trace it.

Although the shooting appears unrelated to recent school shootings nationwide— there were two other gun-related incidents on Fourth Street in Hoboken this year so far — Ferrante said that shootings have ramped up in the region in the past week. A West New York police officer was shot Friday, he noted (the officer was responding to a domestic dispute).

Gun violence has also plagued Jersey City for some time, and at times spilling into Hoboken.

Of the 24 homicides in Jersey City in 2021, half of the victims were young men ages 16-27.

Ferrante said that he did not see any of Jersey City’s gang violence affecting Hoboken recently, but that the city does work with the Jersey City police on common issues.

Director Can’t Buy AR-15

Ferrante said he’s concerned about the regional and national issue of gun violence and the ease of gun access for young people.

While New Jersey has strict gun laws, many states do not.

Ferrante referred to two recent mass shootings committed by 18-year-olds with psychiatric histories in other states, who were able to obtain assault rifles. Yet, he — as a retired police chief — would have to wait 30 to 60 days to get the same kind of gun, unless he went to another state.

“An 18-year-old can walk into a store and, the same day, walk out with one,” he said. “These laws need to change nationwide.”

An AR (ArmaLite Rifle)-15, which has been used in recent mass shootings, can fire 60 or more rounds per minute.

Ferrante said that he would like to see these laws passed in all states:

• Raise the age limit for buying assault rifles to 21
• Conduct criminal background checks
• Conduct a psychological background check

Public Safety Meeting Scheduled

Wednesday night’s police pop-up meeting will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at Third and Harrison streets in Hoboken. The public is invited to attend.

Schools Superintendent Responds

Meanwhile, Hoboken Schools Superintendent Christine Johnson responded to the incident as well.

On Tuesday, she wrote, “Last evening a shooting incident occurred in the vicinity around Mama Johnson Field. During that time, a flag football game was taking place that involved youth; many of which are students of our school district. While the field itself was not targeted, it was undoubtedly a frightening experience for both children and adults at the field.

“The Hoboken Police Department notified me of the situation. I notified our administrators and asked them to notify staff. We then activated our school crisis teams and guidance counselors to be available for any children that need assistance.

“While I am not permitted to provide specific details about the incident or victim, the police will keep the district and community well-informed.

“We will do everything in our power to ensure both the physical and emotional safety and security of our students.”

For more on Monday’s shooting, click here: Teen Shot In Hoboken Monday Night