Jersey City Teen Will Now Stand Trial As An Adult In Shooting Death Of Teen Girl
Monday, October 27, 2025, 1:45 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
JERSEY CITY, NJ.- Following a hearing in Hudson County Superior Court Family Division, a 17-year-old Jersey City teen will now be prosecuted in adult criminal court in connection with fatally gunning down a 15-year-old Jersey City, New Jersey, girl and injuring her stepmother earlier this year as they drove along a Jersey City, New Jersey street.
   According to Acting Hudson County Prosecutor Wayne Mello, Willie Shuler, 17, of Jersey City, New Jersey, is formally charged as an adult with first-degree Murder; first-degree Attempted Murder; second-degree Aggravated Assault; second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon; and second-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose.
If convicted at trial, Shuler faces a mandatory minimum of 30 years and up to a lifetime in New Jersey State Prison.
The charges stem from an investigation that began on January 18, 2025, when just shortly after 11:00 p.m., Cianna Lee, 15, of Jersey City, and her stepmother, Xiao Kuang, 37, also of Jersey City, were driving in the area of Martin Luther King Drive and Union Street in the City, when it is alleged that Shuler pulled out a handgun and fired at their car, fatally striking Ms. Lee and injuring her stepmother Ms. Kuang.
   The two were transported to Jersey City Medical Center, where, despite life-saving efforts, Ms. Lee tragically succumbed to her injury and was pronounced deceased just shortly after 1:20 a.m., January 19, 2025. Ms. Kuang was treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and was later released.
During the subsequent investigation, Detectives of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit and the Jersey City Police Department were able to identify Shuler as the shooter. Shuler was taken into custody a few days after the fatal shooting of Ms. Lee.
“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”
