Rafael Ralphie Leonardo Gomez was 25 when he was shot on the evening of Sunday, January 29, 2023, in Jersey City. Police responded to reports of gunfire near Summit Avenue and Poplar Street around 9:35 p.m. and found Gomez with apparent gunshot wounds to his torso. He was taken to Jersey City Medical Center and pronounced dead at about 11:09 p.m. The Regional Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the cause of death a gunshot wound to the torso and the manner of death homicide.

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit and the Jersey City Police Department investigated. On August 22, 2023, 18-year-old Sylis Lopez of Union City was arrested while in custody on an unrelated matter and charged with Murder as an Accomplice, Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in connection with Gomez’s death. The investigation is ongoing and authorities have asked anyone with information to come forward.

If anyone has information about Rafael’s death or observed activity near Summit Avenue and Poplar Street that night, please share what is known with investigators.