People on Kearny Avenue heard sirens before they heard what happened.
Police were called to the area near Kearny and Johnston avenues just before 7 p.m. Saturday. When officers arrived, they found a man lying outside a hair salon. There was an arrow in his back.
That man was later identified as Pablo Criollo, 45, of Harrison. He was taken to University Hospital in Newark. He did not survive.
Criollo was an Ecuadorian immigrant. His family said he has a daughter in kindergarten and a stepdaughter. By the next morning, neighbors had left flowers near the salon. A few people stopped, looked, kept walking.
Investigators identified a suspect not long after. Oscar Feijoo, 44, of Kearny, became a person of interest that night.
By Sunday morning, police activity had shifted to a home on Kearny Avenue. Hudson County SWAT teams were outside. Officers stood with weapons drawn. Firefighters arrived when flames began shooting from the house.
The standoff dragged on. Negotiations. Smoke. More fire.
Officials later said the home became fully engulfed while police were trying to make contact. They believe a second, smaller fire was started during the incident.
Neighbors were evacuated and sent to shelter at a nearby church. Others were told to stay inside. Streets were blocked off. Smoke hung in the air for hours.
After more than 12 hours, it ended.
Feijoo was taken into custody Sunday afternoon. He was led away in handcuffs while smoke continued to rise from the damaged house. Authorities said he was armed with knives when he was arrested.
Feijoo has been charged with murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and aggravated arson. Prosecutors say more charges are expected.
Investigators have not said what led up to the attack. They have not explained why a bow and arrow was used. They have not described any connection between the two men.
For residents nearby, the details are still hard to process. The weapon. The fire. The length of the standoff. A man killed outside a business people pass every day.
The investigation continues.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.