The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit has charged a Lodi man with murder after investigating a report of a fatal shooting that occurred in Hoboken on Saturday, February 1, 2025.
On Sunday, February 2, 2025, the Lodi Police Department contacted the Hoboken Police Department and the Homicide Unit after receiving multiple tips that a male had been fatally shot one day earlier in a restricted area of the Hoboken waterfront near Castle Point Skate Park. After an extensive four-day investigation utilizing numerous investigative resources, the Homicide Unit determined Erick Fernandez, 26, fatally shot Julio Flores, 23, of Passaic, at the above location. Following the shooting, Fernandez fled with the victim’s personal belongings, including his vehicle, and later returned to the scene to dispose of Flores’ body in the Hudson River. Multiple law enforcement agencies have been actively conducting water searches in an effort to recover the victim’s body. As of this writing, the victim’s body has not been recovered.
A warrant for Fernandez’ arrest was issued on Thursday, February 6, 2025. At the time the warrant was signed, Fernandez was in custody at the Garfield Police Department on an unrelated matter.
Fernandez is charged with Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1)/(2), a crime of the first degree; Felony Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(3), a crime of the first degree; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5b(1), a crime of the second degree; Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4a(1), a crime of the second degree; Disturbing/Desecrating Human Remains in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:22-1a(1), a crime of the second degree; Hindering in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3b(1), a crime of the third degree; Certain Persons Not to Possess a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7b(2), a crime of the third degree; and Robbery in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1a(1); a crime of the first degree. Fernandez is being held at the Hudson County Correctional Facility pending his first court appearance.
This matter is actively being investigated by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit with assistance from the Hoboken Police Department, the Lodi Police Department, the Hawthorne Police Department, the Garfield Police Department, the New Jersey State Police, the Stevens Institute of Technology Police Department, and the New York City 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: hcpo.opsnetwork.org/tips. 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)