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Albert Morales, 33, will be extradited to New Jersey to face murder and illegal weapons charges in the cold-blooded killing of Damon "NuNu" Murray, 21, (see photo above) at a Hoboken public housing project shortly after 11:30 p.m. Sunday, April 28, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said.
Murray -- a Rutgers University football walk-on who left school to care for his family -- was brought to Jersey City Medical Center in a private vehicle and pronounced dead just after midnight Monday, Suarez said.
Massachusetts State Police nabbed Morales sometime Tuesday, the prosecutor said. She didn’t elaborate.
Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla called Murray “a well-respected, standout athlete who gave back to Hoboken youth and our community at large.”
“Damon was a respectful young man who worked hard day in and day out,” Hoboken High School Principal Robin Piccapietra said. “He always had a smile on his face.”
"Damon showed his true grit achieving academic and athletic success with a walk-on position for the Rutgers University football team. We are so proud," the Hoboken Board of Education posted.
The Class of 2020 graduate played basketball and football at Hoboken High School. He was a defensive back for the Scarlet Knights football team.
However, Hoboken School Supt. Dr. Christine Johnson said that Murray left Rutgers “to return home to Hoboken to help his family.”
“Damon enthusiastically took on a role as a paraprofessional for the district,” the schools chief said. “His kindness and empathy served our Department of Special Services so well. Our students looked up to him with admiration and respect.”
Murray was planning to meet with city fire officials next week, said Hoboken HS Football Coach Keeon Walker.
“I was looking forward to the possibility of being a mentor to him as he started his journey to become a firefighter,” Walker wrote. “I am truly heartbroken by this tragic event.
“Damon was a wonderful athlete and an even better student, the true definition of what you want a student-athlete to be.”
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