A normally quiet stretch of Kearny Avenue turned into a tense crime scene this week. Authorities say a man armed with a bow and arrow, knives, and fire triggered an hours-long police standoff that ended only after a house went up in flames.
The incident began with the discovery of an injured man near Kearny and Johnston avenues. It’s left nearby communities in Hudson County on edge, raising some uneasy questions about public safety just minutes from Jersey City’s busy downtown.
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Arrow attack leaves one man dead
Prosecutors say the chain of events started when officers responded to a report of an injured man at Kearny and Johnston avenues. Police arrived and found 45-year-old Pablo Criollo of Harrison with a devastating injury—he’d been shot with an arrow.
First responders rushed Criollo to a nearby hospital. Despite their efforts, he later died.
The unusual weapon immediately set this case apart. Authorities scrambled to piece together witness accounts and evidence, hoping to track down a suspect.
From person of interest to murder suspect
Investigators soon identified Oscar Feijoo, of Kearny, as a person of interest. What followed was an hours-long standoff that forced residents out of their homes and left entire blocks on lockdown.
Prosecutors have charged Feijoo with murder and aggravated arson, along with criminal weapons possession. They expect more charges as the investigation continues.
SWAT teams surround a Kearny Avenue home
Once police learned Feijoo’s location, heavily armed SWAT teams descended on a home along Kearny Avenue. Neighbors watched officers in tactical gear take up positions around the property, cordoning off the area and warning everyone to stay inside.
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Officials say Feijoo barricaded himself inside the home and refused to surrender. Negotiators came in and spent much of the night trying to talk him out.
For nearby families, it was a sleepless night filled with sirens, flashing lights, and the constant worry about what could happen next.
Fire erupts as negotiations drag on
In the middle of the night, things escalated. Authorities say a fire broke out inside the home where Feijoo was holed up.
As flames spread, at least four nearby houses had to be evacuated. The Red Cross stepped in to help displaced residents.
Officials believe Feijoo set the house ablaze himself. The fire turned a dangerous standoff into a full-scale emergency, forcing firefighters to battle the blaze while also dealing with an active police operation.
Surrender in flames and an uncertain legal path ahead
The standoff finally ended Sunday afternoon. Authorities say Feijoo emerged from the burning home armed with knives, and officers quickly took him into custody.
No officers were hurt during the arrest. The shelter-in-place order that had locked down the neighborhood lifted soon after.
As of Monday, a lot remains unclear. Has Feijoo hired an attorney? Prosecutors haven’t confirmed whether Feijoo and Criollo knew each other. Those answers will probably come out in court as the case moves forward.
Impact on local communities and daily life
This incident has sent shockwaves through Kearny, Harrison, and neighboring Hudson County communities. Residents are trying to wrap their heads around the unsettling details: an arrow attack on a local street, a house consumed by fire, and a heavily armed standoff steps from family homes.
For many, it’s a jarring reminder that even in quieter North Jersey corners, police and emergency services can suddenly face highly volatile, unusual situations.
What this means for Jersey City and its neighbors
Though this tragedy unfolded in Kearny, its impact is felt across the Passaic and Hackensack Rivers, in places like Harrison and Jersey City. These communities share transit lines, workplaces, schools, and social spaces. An incident like this just reinforces how interconnected our local city districts and neighborhoods really are.
For visitors at Jersey City hotels or locals hosting family, events like this spark tough questions about safety, emergency response, and community preparedness. Fortunately, Hudson County law enforcement agencies regularly coordinate across municipal lines. Maybe that’s why this standoff, though chaotic, ended without more loss of life.
Staying informed when you’re in Jersey City
Whether you’ve lived here forever, commute in, or just want to figure out where to stay in Jersey City, keeping up with local news is honestly just part of life. It’s not just about knowing the best things to do in Jersey City on a Saturday—it’s about understanding how the police respond, how evacuations actually happen, or when the Red Cross shows up.
If you’re getting to Jersey City from Kearny, Harrison, or anywhere nearby—maybe you take the PATH, maybe you drive—this kind of case hits hard. Our region’s stories don’t really care about city lines. The same streets we use for work or grabbing dinner end up connecting us during tough moments, too.
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