The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit has charged an 18-year-old man in connection with the fatal shooting of Rafael Gomez that occurred in Jersey City on Sunday, January 29, 2023.
Sylis Lopez, of Union City, is charged with Murder as an Accomplice in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1)/(2) and N.J.S.A. 2C:2-6; Conspiracy to Commit Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1)/(2) and N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5b(1); and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4a(1). He was arrested at the Hudson County Correctional Facility on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, where he is being detained on an unrelated matter.
At approximately 9:35 p.m. on Sunday, January 29, 2023, the Jersey City Police Department received a report of shots fired in the area of Summit Avenue and Poplar Street in Jersey City. Upon arrival, responding officers located a male victim – later identified as Rafael Gomez, 25, of Jersey City – with an apparent gunshot wound to the torso. He was transported by Emergency Medical Services to Jersey City Medical Center where he was pronounced dead shortly after 11 p.m. The Regional Medical Examiner’s Office determined the Cause of Death to be a Gunshot Wound to the Torso and the Manner of Death to be Homicide.
Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit, the Jersey City Police Department, and the Union City Police Department with the investigation and arrest. This matter remains under investigation. 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.
