In a tragic turn of events, 17-year-old Anthony Rios lost his life in Jersey City, New Jersey, on September 12, 2016. The young man, known for his passion for basketball, died from a gunshot wound to the head sustained in a parking lot on Van Horne Street. The incident, however, was not the result of a violent street crime, but a grim misadventure among friends.
The person responsible for the fatal shot was his own friend, 19-year-old Jacob Pommerehn.
Reports from the investigation revealed that Rios and Pommerehn, along with others, were 'playing' with two handguns, a Beretta. 09 and a Walther P22. 22, at the time of the shooting. The situation was further clouded by the presence of alcohol and marijuana. What began as a reckless pastime turned into a tragedy that would forever alter the lives of those involved.
Following an investigation, Jacob Pommerehn was arrested in connection with the death of his friend. Initially facing an aggravated manslaughter charge, Pommerehn, who had no prior criminal record, pleaded guilty to the lesser offense of reckless manslaughter. In December 2017, a Hudson County Superior Court judge sentenced him to five years in prison for his role in the death of Anthony Rios. The judge stipulated that Pommerehn must serve at least four years of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
