A man previously convicted on charges related to weapons offenses recently became the victim of a homicide crime, as he was shot outside of a restaurant-lounge located in Paterson, New Jersey.
According to the Paterson Police Department, 25-year-old Jose Rodriguez was shot on Crooks Avenue in Paterson at approximately 4 a.m. on Sunday, March 23rd. Per reports, the shooting is somehow connected to patrons of a Mediterranean restaurant and lounge called ZamZam, which is located in close proximity to the site where the shooting occurred.
ZamZam has a reputation for remaining open late, serving as a local spot where customers drink alcohol and smoke hookah in violation of Paterson city ordinances. According to Andre Sayegh, the president of the City Council, the enterprise has received citations in the past for these violations.
With regard to the victim, Rodriguez’s criminal record includes at least two convictions for weapons offenses, one of which involved unlawful possession of a weapon charges in 2007. As a result of this conviction, as well as another for a weapons offense the following year, Rodriguez was imprisoned in New Jersey from October of 2009 to October of 2013.
Authorities have yet to disclose any information pertaining to the investigation of the murder; however, if a suspect has been identified and arrested, he or she will face charges forhomicide, which is a crime of the first degree in New Jersey. In fact, homicide convictions are associated with more severe sentencing guidelines than typical first degree crimes and are punishable by a term of incarceration ranging from 30 years to life in New Jersey State Prison.
For more information pertaining to this case, access the following article: Report: Paterson man killed outside restaurant that allegedly doubled as illegal hookah lounge
