After a recent gun fight with officers from the Paterson Police Department, a Paterson man is facing charges for attempted murder, weapons offenses, andresisting arrest.
According to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, at approximately 1:45 a.m. on Sunday, December 29th, Paterson Police were notified of a shooting in the 1st Ward near North Main and Haledon streets in Paterson, New Jersey. Officers from the Cease-Fire Unite arrived on the scene in an unmarked vehicle, which they parked at 177 North Main Street.
While observing the area from inside the vehicle, the officers were fired at multiple times, with one of the bullets hitting the car. They subsequently pursued the suspect, demanding that he surrender his weapon, at which time he pointed the weapon at them. The officers proceeded to fire at the suspect, although none of the bullets made contact. He was taken into custody shortly thereafter, when backup arrived.
The suspect was then identified as 25-year-old Quentin M. McEachin of Paterson, according to Chief Assistant Prosecutor Michael DeMarco. McEachin was carrying a .380 caliber handgun, which was found where he had left it while being pursued by police. Another handgun of the same model was discovered in the pocket of his pants following a search. Per reports, a shell casing matching the model of McEachin’s gun was taken into evidence near the officers’ vehicle. Officials will perform ballistics tests in order to confirm the match.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office announced that there were no injuries during the incident, but the officers involved were taken to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center as standard procedure. Their identities have not been disclosed by authorities.
McEachin is facing significant penalties if convicted of the charges against him. He could also be subject to harsher punishments because the attempted murder victims in this case were law enforcement officers. Similarly, an individual convicted of murder in New Jersey is subject to a sentence of 30 years to life imprisonment, with a minimum 30-year period of parole ineligibility. However, a person convicted of murder may receive a sentence of life imprisonment with no opportunity for parole if the victim is a law enforcement officer.
For more information pertaining to this case, access the following article: Paterson man charged with attempted murder after gunfight
