Jersey City, NJ teens charged with murder of Pedro Rodriguez

JERSEY CITY — Two young men have now been charged as adults stemming from the shooting death of a 16-year-old on a city street last winter.

On Friday, charges were waived up to the Law Division of the Superior Court for 18-year-old Juan Crawford and 17-year-old Leo Barker, both of Jersey City.

At the time of the Dec. 16, 2021, fatal shooting of Pedro Rodriguez, Crawford was 17 and Barker was 16.

Before noon that day, Jersey City police responded to 600 Communipaw Ave. on a report of shots fired.

Officers found an unresponsive male – later identified as Rodriguez, a Jersey City resident – with gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The death was ruled a homicide and Crawford was arrested and charged as a juvenile on Dec. 27. Barker was arrested and charged as a juvenile, three months later.

Both are now charged with first-degree murder and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

If convicted as adults, Crawford and Barker face up to life in prison.

Erin Vogt is a reporter and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach her at erin.vogt@townsquaremedia.com

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