A domestic violence incident in the Jersey Heights claimed three lives last night, including two children, ages five and nine, according to Mayor Steven Fulop.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“This was a terrible triple homicide that occurred last night related to domestic violence. Woman and two children aged 5 and 9 deceased and then the male actor tried to stab himself,” he wrote on X at 7:37 a.m.
“The man is in custody right now. We have chaplains and social workers in the neighborhood to work with family + neighbors. We are working closely with the HCPO. This is just such horrible and sad news.”
Ward D Councilman Yousef Saleh, who represents the area, wrote in an Instagram story that “this appears to be an isolated incident, and we want to assure our community there is no imminent danger.”
News crews gathered outside the apartment building, located at 272 Hutton St., around 8:30 a.m. this morning, which also had a police cruiser stationed near the front entrance and police tape around the surrounding area.
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office has released minimal details thus far, noting that the incident is being investigated by their homicide unit and the Jersey City Police Department and confirming it is being treated as a domestic violence incident.
At 5:03 p.m., Prosecutor Esther Suarez released additional information, including the pedigree information and charges of the arrestee.
Napoleon Romero-Anduray, 31, of Jersey City, is charged with three counts of murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon.
Shortly after 12:15 a.m., the Jersey City Police Department was notified of a stabbing at 272 Hutton Ave. Responding officers located three individuals with stab wounds in an apartment at that location, Suarez said in a statement.
Luisa Urbano, 31, of Jersey City, was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 1:12 a.m. Her two children were also found at the scene with stab wounds.
They were transported by Emergency Medical Services to the Jersey City Medical Center. Her 9-year-old son, Juan Martin Urbano, was pronounced dead at approximately 12:58 a.m. and her 5-year-old daughter, Diana Ramirez, was pronounced dead at approximately 1:55 a.m.
The cause and manner of their deaths are pending further investigation by the Regional Medical Examiner’s Office.
A fourth individual — later identified as Romero-Anduray — was also found in the apartment with injuries. He was transported by EMS to Jersey City Medical Center where he is being treated for his wounds.
The HCPO Homicide Unit and the Jersey City PD continue to actively investigate this matter.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the HCPO at 201-915-1345 or to leave an anonymous tip at: http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/.
All information will be kept confidential.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with new information.
Saleh jumps on the bandwagon for photo-op. Tells you who he is.