Kearny Police Charge Six in Stabbing of Harrison Resident at Wawa

The Kearny Police Department has charged six men in connection with a retaliatory stabbing that left an 18-year-old Harrison resident with life-threatening injuries during a large altercation outside the Wawa in Kearny located at 150 Harrison Avenue in the early morning hours of September 9, 2025, authorities announced.

According to Det. Sgt. John Fabula of the department’s Detective Bureau, officers responded to the scene at approximately 2:00 a.m. after receiving reports of a fight involving eight to ten individuals. Investigators determined the incident was retaliatory in nature, stemming from a dispute earlier the same evening.

During the confrontation, the Harrison resident victim, who was 18 years old at the time, sustained more than five stab wounds and was transported to University Hospital for emergency treatment. Police emphasized that the victim’s name has not been released because of his age. Authorities also stated that those involved were largely known to one another and that there was no ongoing danger to the general public.

Following what police described as an extensive investigation—including the review of physical and digital evidence and numerous interviews—detectives identified six suspects, all from Newark, NJ, and obtained arrest warrants.

Five suspects have since been taken into custody: Lucca Melo, Exequiel Aguilar-Argueta, Junior Urquilla, Marvin Martinez, and Orlando Santana.

• Melo faces charges of aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon.
• Aguilar-Argueta, Urquilla, Martinez, and Santana are each charged with aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit aggravated assault.

A sixth suspect, David Martinez, remains at large and is wanted on charges of aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit aggravated assault.

Wawa in Kearny NJ Signage

The swift identification and arrest of multiple suspects highlights what officials described as coordinated, thorough police work by the Kearny Police Department’s Detective Bureau in a complex, multi-participant incident.

Anyone with information related to the case is urged to contact Det. Alyssa Matos of the Kearny Police Department Detective Bureau at (201) 998-1313, ext. 2837.

In Harrison, Lack of Communication

The investigation and arrests in Kearny come amid heightened public attention following a separate stabbing incident near the Harrison PATH station, which occurred two months after the WAWA fight and stabbing, which are being handled by the Harrison Police Department. Although there were immediate arrests of suspects in the Harrison PATH stabbing, the Harrison Police Department has not released a further statement to the Public.  The Harrison Police, with the assistance of other police departments, arrested six people on November 5, 2025. There have been no official Press Releases with updates from the Harrison Police Department, and recently, inquiries made by Your Harrison have gone unanswered. In the Harrison PATH stabbing cases, the Harrison Police Department has cited an active, ongoing investigation and has not yet concluded its review.

While unrelated, the contrast underscores the timely resolution of the Kearny Wawa case, where investigators moved quickly to identify suspects and bring charges, while continuing efforts remain underway in the Harrison PATH station matter. Communication to the public would help Harrison’s transparency rating.

The Kearny Police Department has stated that its investigation into the September 9th retaliatory stabbing remains active as detectives continue efforts to locate the remaining suspect.

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