By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Passaic County announced that Christopher Thomas, 26, from Hackensack, was arrested on March 13, 2024, based on an investigation by the Paterson Police Department in conjunction with the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office.
Officials stated in connection to the homicide that took place on October 1, 2023, in the area of Van Houten Street and Cianci Street in Paterson.
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said Christopher Thomas is charged with Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Unlawful Possession of a Handgun, Unlawful Possession of a Handgun, Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose, and Certain Persons Not to Possess Weapons.
According to officials, on October 1, 2023, at approximately 9:22 p.m., a Paterson Police Officer heard several gunshots in the area of Van Houten Street and Cianci Street.
At that time, additional patrol units were dispatched to the scene where they located a victim, Mary Taylor, 22, from Paterson, with an apparent gunshot wound, officials said.
Authorities say the victim was transported to St. Joseph's University Medical Center, where she was subsequently pronounced deceased.
During the course of the investigation, officials say, detectives learned that Christopher Thomas was one of the shooters involved in the incident.
Officials stated that Christopher Thomas will be scheduled to appear at Central Judicial Processing for his First Appearance.