Teenagers Charged in March Shootings
Thursday, October 25, 2012 • 11:36am
PATERSON, NJ - Police this week charged a 16-year-old Paterson youth with attempted murder in a couple of 4th Ward shootings that happened a little more than an hour apart on March 26. Police also are looking for a 17-year-old city youth wanted on attempted murder charge in one of the shootings.
.
Police said they recently received information and evidence that linked the two shooting, which they said happened under similar circumstances. "The motive for each of these incidents is not absolutely clear, but the possibility that the victims may have been potential robbery victims cannot be ruled out at this time,'' said Sgt. Patrick Murray, head of the Cease-Fire unit.
In the first incident, police said the victim, a 51-year-old resident of E. 38th Street, was walking east on Broadway near E. 27th Street at about 1:15 am when he was approached by two males from behind. The victim noticed that one of the suspects was holding an object in his hand, and fearing for his safety, he began to run away, police said. As the victim ran, he heard a single gunshot and immediately felt numbness in his left leg, at which time he realized he had been shot, police said. He was taken to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center and has since recovered.
The second shooting happened at about 2:30 am near a bodega at the corner of 12 Avenue and Rosa Parks Boulevard. The victim, a 26-year-old resident of Harrison Street, was walking toward his home when he heard a single gunshot and was wounded in the left arm, police said. The victim immediately looked behind him and saw a young male standing near the entrance to the bodega, looking in his direction, policed said. Fearing he would be shot again, the victim ran to his home and was transported from there by ambulance to St. Joseph’s for treatment, police said. He too has since recovered.
The 16-year-old already was being held at the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center for unrelated charges when city police charged him with attempted murder and weapons offenses involving the March shootings.
Get local stories like this delivered right to your inbox or smartphone everyday with our
free newsletter.
