HOBOKEN, NJ —
June 18, 2026 |
By DailyHudson Staff
North Bergen man convicted on all charges in fatal shooting of former Rutgers football player.
A jury found Albert Morales, 35, of North Bergen, guilty of murder and weapons charges Wednesday in the April 2024 killing of Damon Murray, a 21-year-old Hoboken man and former Rutgers football standout, officials said.
The verdict closes a chapter on a case that shook the Hoboken community, where Murray was remembered as a promising athlete and aspiring firefighter. His death prompted city action, including renaming a gym and funding a mobile police command center.
Prosecutors said Murray was shot in the abdomen around 11:30 p.m. on April 28, 2024, outside 320 Marshall Drive. He was taken to Jersey City Medical Center and pronounced dead just after midnight.
Morales was arrested the next day in Massachusetts, according to the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office. He was convicted of murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon.
‘While this verdict will not erase the pain felt by Damon’s family, friends, and loved ones, I hope it provides some measure of justice,’ said Hoboken Mayor Emily Jabbour in a statement.
Impact: Murray had recently passed the firefighter civil service exam and was posthumously made a member of the Hoboken Fire Department. In August 2024, the city renamed the gymnasium at 605 Jackson St. in his honor.
What Happens Next: Morales’ sentencing is tentatively scheduled for Friday, September 4th. He faces up to life in prison.
The community continues to honor Murray’s legacy with city officials pledging ongoing efforts to combat gun violence.
Source: Hudson County View
