On a cold day in February, the life of 23-year-old Julio Flores of Passaic, New Jersey, was tragically cut short on the Hoboken waterfront. On February 1, 2025, Flores was with a man later identified as 26-year-old Erick Fernandez of Lodi. The two men went to a restricted area near the Castle Point Skate Park. There, Fernandez allegedly forced Flores onto a fenced-off pier and shot him.
Following the shooting, Fernandez is said to have taken Flores's car and personal belongings, driving
the vehicle to Bergen County. In a chilling turn of events, Fernandez reportedly returned to Hoboken later to dispose of Flores's body in the Hudson River. The day after the incident, the Lodi Police Department began receiving multiple tips about a shooting that had occurred on the Hoboken waterfront. This prompted them to contact the Hoboken Police Department, launching an investigation that would soon uncover the grim details of Flores's death.
For weeks, Julio Flores was considered a missing person. It wasn't until March 23, 2025, that human remains were discovered in the Hudson River near Pier C Park in Hoboken. Forensic examinations and a DNA analysis confirmed the remains belonged to Julio Flores. The cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound to the head, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide. By the time an arrest warrant was issued for Erick Fernandez on February 6, he was already in custody at the Garfield Police Department on an unrelated matter. Fernandez has since been charged with murder, felony murder, robbery, and various weapons offenses in connection with the death of Julio Flores. He remains in custody at the Hudson County Correctional Facility.
