Man in connection with midtown shooting apprehended

On Monday, May 6, 2019, a passing motorist contacted the South Whitehall Township Police Department in Pennsylvania after discovering a person on the side of the road in that municipality. Responding officers found an injured man at that location and he was subsequently transported to a local hospital.

The man was later identified as Jonathan Haughey-Morales, age 27, of West New York, the suspect who was charged and wanted in connection with the quadruple shooting in North Bergen on Sunday in which North Bergen resident Carlos Garcia died.

Responding officers found a 27-year-old man with multiple gunshot wounds to his lower body, police said.

A dark-colored SUV was seen dropping off the victim on the sidewalk, then leaving the scene before police were called, officials said.

The man was taken to the hospital and his injuries do not appear to be life-threatening, police said.

On Sunday, May 5, 2019, Haughey-Morales was charged with Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3, a first-degree crime; three counts of Aggravated Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1, second-degree crimes; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5, a third-degree crime; and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4, a second-degree crime.

Prosecutor Suarez credited the South Whitehall Township Police Department with the apprehension. She also credited the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit for the investigation leading to the arrest, as well as the North Bergen Police Department, the Union City Police Department and the U.S. Marshals New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force for their assistance in the investigation. She also specifically thanked the North Bergen Police Department, under the leadership of Police Chief Robert Dowd, for all the resources they committed to this investigation.

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit continues to actively investigate this case with assistance from the North Bergen Police Department. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor at 201-915-1345 or to leave an anonymous tip at: http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/. All information will be kept confidential.

The above charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6).