Jersey City, Garfield teens arrested in light rail shooting in Hoboken

HOBOKEN – NJ Transit Police have arrested and charged two men in connection with shots being fired at the Ninth Street light rail station, located in Hoboken down the hill from Jersey City Heights, earlier this month.
On Friday, May 11, at approximately 8:30 p.m., New Jersey Transit Police say that Anthony Aguilar, 19, of Garfield, and Zaire Batista, 18, of Jersey City, were allegedly involved in an ongoing dispute with an 18-year-old male that quickly escalated into shots being fired at the Ninth Street Station of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Station in Hoboken. The two then fled the scene. No injuries were reported as a result of the gunfire.
Both men were arrested in their respective homes. Aguilar was arrested Tuesday; Batista was arrested last Thursday.
“The NJ Transit Police Department takes the safety and security of those on our transit system seriously and we investigate each criminal case fully until we find the perpetrator,’’ said NJ Transit Police Department Chief Christopher Trucillo. “We encourage everyone within the NJ Transit system that if they ‘See something, say something.’ Let this serve as a reminder to all that the New Jersey Transit Police Department will relentlessly pursue all leads, no matter how big or small.”
Batista has been charged with criminal attempted murder, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and several drug-related offenses.
Aguilar has been charged with criminal attempted murder, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
The two were remanded to the Hudson County Correctional Facility pending a hearing in Hudson County Central Judicial Processing Court.
NJ Transit encourages customers to remain aware of their surroundings and to be the eyes and ears for law enforcement – If you see something, say something. To report a crime, suspicious activity or unattended packages contact the New Jersey Transit Police Department at 1-888-TIPS-NJT or send a text message to NJTPD (65873).