By: Richard L. Smith
Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit has charged a 39-year-old man in connection with the shooting death of a woman in Jersey City on Tuesday, January 24.
According to Prosecutor Suarez, Lucas Cooper is charged with Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1), Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4a(2). He was arrested and is currently being detained in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Prosecutor Suarez said at approximately 7:09 a.m., the Jersey City Police Department was notified of shots fired on the third floor of 340 Bergen Avenue.
Upon arrival, responding officers located a female victim – later identified as Ms. Temara King, 35, of Jersey City – with apparent gunshot wound(s). She was transported by Emergency Medical Services to Jersey City Medical Center where she was pronounced dead at 8:06 a.m.
The Cause and Manner of Death are pending the findings of the Regional Medical Examiner’s Office.
This matter is being investigated as an act of domestic violence and additional information cannot be released at this time.
Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit, the Jersey City Police Department, New Jersey State Police, Pennsylvania State Police, the United States Marshals Service New York/New Jersey, the United States Marshals Service Middle District of Pennsylvania, the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office, and the Allentown, Pennsylvania, Police Department with the investigation and arrest.
The above charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6).