When Paterson Police were called to investigate a report of shots fired recently, they initially found no evidence of gunfire and no victims. Then, a man who was shot arrived at a local medical center shortly thereafter and told detectives that he was the victim of an attempted armed robbery. Police are now attempting to identify the alleged assailants and have requested public assistance in doing so.
According to Detective Lieutenant Patrick Murray, head of the Paterson Police Ceasefire Unit, patrol officers responded to a report of shots fired in the vicinity of North Main and Jefferson Streets at approximately 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 13th. An initial assessment at the scene revealed no evidence of gunfire and no victims. Then, a 22-year-old man with a gunshot wound arrived at Saint Joseph’s Regional Medical Center for treatment.
Upon questioning, the man told police that he was approached by several men who attempted to rob him at gunpoint on Jefferson Street. The victim struggled with his assailants and multiple shots were fired during the altercation, one of which wounded the victim. He was released from the hospital after receiving medical care.
Authorities from the Paterson Police Department have requested that any and all information related to the incident or the suspects be forwarded to Detectives Edgar Taylor or Francisco Brito at 973-321-1342 or provided anonymously by texting 274637 or through the department’s website at patersonpd.com.
If police identify and charge one or more suspects in connection with this case, they may be facing serious charges for first degree robbery, as well as weapons offenses such as unlawful possession of a weapon or possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
Although robbery can be classified as a first or second degree crime under N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1, offenses involving deadly weapons are considered first degree crimes, which entail a prison sentence ranging from 10 to 20 years, 85% of which must be served before the defendant becomes eligible for parole, per the terms of New Jersey’s No Early Release Act (NERA).
For additional information related to this incident, access the following article: Police seek tips in street robbery, shooting
