A 33-year-old North Bergen man was arrested in Massachusetts for killing a 21-year-old Hoboken man who was a standout high school football and basketball player who briefly played the former at Rutgers University.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Albert Morales, 33, of North Bergen, is charged with murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office said.
He was arrested in Chicopee, Massachusetts today by members of the Massachusetts State Police and will remain in custody pending extradition to New Jersey.
Shortly after 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 28th, the Hoboken Police Department received a report of shots fired in the area of 320 Marshall Drive.
Responding officers located a crime scene outside the building. A 21-year-old man, later identified as Damon Murray, of Hoboken, was transported by a private auto to Jersey City Medical Center with an apparent gunshot wound to the abdomen.
He was pronounced dead just after 12 a.m. on Monday, April 29th.
Murray, affectionately nicknamed “Nunu,” will have a balloon rising ceremony in his honor at 770 Jackson St. this evening at 6:30 p.m. Many across the Mile Square City have recalled the positive impact he had on the community.
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of Damon Murray, a graduate of Hoboken High School Class of 2020. Damon was a standout student leader, gifted basketball and football player, and friend during his time in the Hoboken Public Schools. His contributions to Hoboken High School, both academically and athletically, will always be remembered and cherished,” a Hoboken High School Facebook page wrote.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to the Murray family and loved ones during this difficult time. Damon’s legacy will forever remain a source of inspiration for all who had the privilege of knowing him. Once a Redwing, Always a Redwing.”
4th Ward Councilman Ruben Ramos, whose ward includes the Hoboken Housing Authority, wrote on Instagram that he knew Murray personally and was gutted by the loss.
“I was shocked and saddened by the tragic news of the Sunday night tragic loss of Damon Murray. A former star student athlete at Hoboken High School and now Hoboken Board of Education employee. I’ve known Damon’s father Tarrick from the days when I was a counselor at the Boys & Girls Club and he was a member,” his post says.
“It brought me great personal joy to see the great dad that he has become. My thoughts and prayers are with all of Damon’s family and friends during this extremely difficult time.”
While she didn’t know him personally, HHA Chair Barbara Reyes said in a Facebook post that her 11-year-old son looked up to Murray.
“Earlier on the day of the tragedy my son and his friends were in the basketball courts with him watching him play basketball. They were also begging him to coach them on their flag football team so for my son to wake up and hear he was gone turned from shock to sadness. Damon was an example of what a role model should be to our children,” she wrote.
“As a community we need to turn this pain into purpose. We need to do better for our children but this cannot be done with one person alone it needs to be done as a community. My sincerest condolences go out to the entire Murray family.”
Hoboken Councilwoman-at-Large Emily Jabbour noted that Murray had taken a leave at Rutgers because his family needed him at home before tragedy struck.
“I am deeply saddened over the news of the untimely and tragic passing of Damon Murray, a 21-year-old Hoboken resident and Board of Education employee who was shot and killed overnight on Sunday,” she wrote in an Instagram post.
“Damon was a standout student leader during his time at Hoboken High School, and had taken leave from Rutgers to come home to help care for his family. My condolences to his family and loved ones as they try to grapple with this awful news.”
After the remembrance concluded this evening, Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla commended the men and women in uniform that helped apprehend Murray’s killer.
“I commend our dedicated law enforcement agencies including the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Hoboken Police Department, and the Massachusetts State Police for working around the clock to quickly apprehend the individual connected to Sunday’s fatal shooting,” he said,
“It is absolutely heartbreaking that Damon is no longer with us but knowing that justice will be served is an important step forward for our community to mourn his loss.”
Editor’s note: This story was updated with a comment from Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla.
