Shot kills young dad
Thursday, February 12, 2009
By CHARLES HACK
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Another young Jersey City man had his life cut short this week, dying from a gunshot wound to the chest late Tuesday night, officials said.

Justin McNeil, 21, of Wilkinson Avenue in Jersey City, was shot dead on the sidewalk on Ocean Avenue and Bayview Avenue in Jersey City, said First Assistant Prosecutor Guy Gregory.

The autopsy report showed that McNeil, known to his friends as "Ice," died of a single gunshot wound to the chest, said Gregory, whose office was notified of the shooting at 11:44 p.m.

No motive has been established for the shooting, officials said.

More than 20 people gathered in near silence at the FIP Mini Market on Ocean Avenue where McNeil would frequently hang out. A shrine with flowers and candles was set up about two blocks away on the sidewalk where he was shot.

Many friends declined to comment yesterday. Those who did speak described McNeil as a "good father" to his one-year-old baby girl, a "good guy," "the sweetest kid" who looked after his little brother and preferred to walk away from trouble.

"If you needed money he would give it to you," said one person. "If you needed a ride he gave it to you. He had a big heart."

Last May, Jason Sharpe, 24, also of Wilkinson Avenue, died a block away after being stabbed in the heart and lung at Ocean Avenue and Wegman Parkway.

"It's terrible here and it's got worse," said Martha Williams, a resident of Bayview Avenue, talking about the violence in her neighborhood.

So far this year, four people have been murdered in Hudson County and a baby died from aggravated manslaughter, officials said.

Let me guess model citizen, he wasn't target.

Police ID man shot and killed in Jersey City
by Charles Hack/The Jersey Journal
Wednesday February 11, 2009, 11:37 AM

The Hudson County Prosecutor's Office has identified the man shot and killed on Ocean Avenue in Jersey City last night as Justin McNeil, 21, of Wilkinson Avenue in Jersey City.

McNeil suffered multiple gunshot wounds, according to First Assistant Prosecutor Guy Gregory, who said his office is awaiting autopsy results.

The prosecutor's office was notified of the shooting at 11:44 p.m., Gregory said.

Check back with Hudson County Now for updates and see tomorrow's Jersey Journal for full coverage.