According to Paterson NJ police, a Paterson man who told police that he had been shot in a drive-by actually shot himself in the hand with his own gun.
In August, Jacques Brown was driven by private car to the St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center for treatment for a gun-shot wound. At the hospital, Mr. Brown told officers that he had been standing near 118 Godwin Avenue when a passing vehicle fired a shot at him, hitting him in the left hand.
Paterson police detectives now believe that Mr. Brown actually shot himself while handling his own gun.
Police are searching for Mr. Brown, who is wanted on criminal complaints for weapons possession and a certain persons offense.
The penalties for illegal possession of a handgun in New Jersey are set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(b). If convicted of unlawful possession of a handgun, Mr. Brown could be sentenced to up to ten (10) years in New Jersey State Prison.
For more information, read the NJ.com article entitled “Man Who Reported Paterson Drive-By Shot Himself Instead, Police Say.”
