Charges against a North Brunswick man accused of a shooting in New Brunswick have been upgraded to murder since the victim died.
Christian Cortes, 25, faces one count of murder in the first degree, one count of unlawful possession of a weapon in the second degree and one count of possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes in the second degree for allegedly being involved in the shooting of Desiree Alvarado, 38, of New Brunswick, according to information provided by Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey and Director Anthony A. Caputo of the New Brunswick Police Department.
During the investigation, it was determined that Cortes allegedly shot the woman on Seventh Street between Livingston and Joyce Kilmer avenues in New Brunswick around 10:30 a.m. July 14, according to the statement.
Alvarado was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick on July 14, but was pronounced dead at 5:20 p.m. July 18, according to officials.
The results of the autopsy by the Middlesex County Examiner’s Office stated the cause of death to be complications from a gunshot wound to the neck, manner of death by homicide, according to Carey.
Cortes continues to be held at the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center in North Brunswick.
Anyone with information should call Detective Erica DiMarcello of the New Brunswick Police Department at 732-745-5200, or Detective Craig Marchak of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-745-3254.
