Arrow Attack &Arson Rock West Hudson Community Mourns a Life Lost

On Saturday, December 20, 2025, a senseless act of violence shook the West Hudson community, claiming the life of a beloved Harrison resident who was walking on Kearny Avenue just over the bridge that separates Harrison and Kearny, and leaving two communities struggling to comprehend how a quiet Saturday evening could descend into tragedy.

Authorities say Pablo Criollo, 45, was fatally struck by an arrow in what investigators describe as a random and unprovoked attack. The shooting occurred near Kearny Avenue and Johnston Avenue, only steps from the Harrrisn municipal boundary line. Criollo, an innocent bystander, was rushed to University Hospital in Newark, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

For Criollo’s family, friends, and neighbors, the loss is immeasurable. A routine evening ended in heartbreak, and a man who was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time never returned home. The shock of his death has reverberated across Harrison and Kearny, uniting residents in grief and disbelief.

From Random Violence to a Prolonged Crisis

As the homicide investigation unfolded, law enforcement identified Oscar Feijoo, 44, of Kearny, as a person of interest. When officers attempted to make contact at his Kearny Avenue residence, Feijoo barricaded himself inside, prompting the response of the Hudson County Regional SWAT team.

What followed was an extraordinary and dangerous escalation. In the early morning hours of Sunday, December 21st, multiple fires were deliberately set inside the home, triggering a multi-alarm blaze on Kearny Avenue—just blocks from where Criollo had been mortally wounded the night before, literally hours before. Firefighters were forced to battle an active arson scene while a high-risk police negotiation remained underway with the arsonist and suspected murderer.

Heroism Under Fire

Kearrny Avenue Buildings Involved In Arson Fire

The response from first responders was nothing short of heroic. Members of the Kearny Fire Department, along with mutual aid from Harrison, North Arlington, Belleville, and Jersey City, attacked the fire under conditions few firefighters ever face: flames spreading through a structure while an armed murder suspect remained barricaded inside.

During the initial fire attack, one firefighter was injured. Thanks to the rapid actions of fellow firefighters—who pulled their colleague from the burning structure—and the immediate assistance of the Hudson County Regional SWAT, the injured firefighter was secured in a safe location. He has since returned home and is recovering.

Despite the danger, fire crews successfully contained the blaze and prevented any loss of life. Their actions allowed law enforcement to continue negotiations and ultimately bring the standoff to a close without further tragedy.

Arrest and Charges

After several tense hours following fire suppression operations, Feijoo exited the home shortly before 1 p.m., armed with knives, and was taken into custody after a brief standoff. According to Acting Hudson County Prosecutor Wayne Mello, Feijoo has been charged with murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and aggravated arson. Additional charges are expected. As with all criminal matters, the charges are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

A Community in Mourning

Beyond the law enforcement response and the firefighter heroics lies a grieving family and a community searching for meaning in a tragedy that defies logic. A random arrow, loosed without warning, ended a life and forever altered countless others. The subsequent fires only deepened the trauma for neighbors who watched their street become the center of a prolonged emergency. Although the fire damaged three buildings, anyone who knows the neighborhood of attached homes realizes it could have been much worse.

A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support Criollo’s family as they navigate this devastating loss. Community members across Harrison and Kearny have already begun to rally, offering prayers, donations, and support in honor of a life taken far too soon. Take this opportunity to make your donation using the following GoFundMe link.

In the aftermath, one truth stands clear: while violence brought fear and sorrow, the courage, coordination, and professionalism of local police officers, firefighters, and regional SWAT members prevented an already horrific event from becoming even worse. Their actions, carried out under extraordinary circumstances, stand as a testament to public service in the face of unimaginable danger.

The heroics are overshadowed by the senseless loss of life of a neighbor, father, hardworking provider, who lost his life in such a tragic manner. The community has rallied to assist Pablo Criollo’s wife and family, including two daughters. But the sense of loss is immense under the circumstances, even for strangers who never met Pablo Criollo but feel the tragedy of his loss and the fleetingness of life.