JERSEY CITY, NJ —
June 18, 2026 |
By DailyHudson Staff
Albert Morales convicted on all charges for fatal shooting of former Rutgers athlete.
A North Bergen man was found guilty Wednesday on all charges in the April 2024 murder of Damon Murray, a 21-year-old former Rutgers football player from Hoboken, authorities announced.
The conviction closes a high-profile case that has deeply shaken the Hoboken community, where Murray was a standout athlete and an aspiring firefighter. It comes after a tense period involving police meetings and city investments in safety measures.
Albert Morales, 35, was convicted of murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon, according to Hudson County Prosecutor Wayne Mello.
The shooting occurred shortly after 11:30 p.m. on April 28, 2024, outside 320 Marshall Drive in Hoboken. Murray was taken to Jersey City Medical Center with a gunshot wound to the abdomen and was pronounced dead just after midnight.
“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, who had recently passed the Hoboken Fire Department civil service exam, was posthumously made a member of the department. In August 2024, the city renamed the gymnasium at 605 Jackson St. after him.
What Happens Next: Morales’ sentencing is tentatively scheduled for Friday, September 4th, before Hudson County Superior Court Judge Mitzy Galis-Menendez.
Mayor Jabbour emphasized the community must continue working to prevent such tragedies in memory of Murray.
Source: Hudson County View