By: Richard L. Smith
A man was left 'gravely injured' following a violent early-morning shooting in Paterson, with police later discovering the wounded victim near St. Joseph's University Medical Center after his car collided with a utility pole.
The Passaic County Prosecutor's Office is now investigating the incident, which began just before 3:45 a.m. in the area of Rosa Parks Boulevard and Godwin Avenue.
Officers initially responded to reports of gunfire in the neighborhood, finding multiple shell casings and evidence of an intense altercation.
Witnesses at the scene reported seeing a man hurriedly enter a car and drive off, though it was unclear whether he was the shooter or a potential victim.
As authorities were processing the crime scene, another call came in from about a mile away, just outside the emergency room at St. Joseph's Medical Center.
Emergency responders found a car crashed into a pole, with live wires down and a man trapped inside. Once firefighters safely accessed the vehicle, they discovered an unconscious man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
The victim, described by officials as "gravely injured," was immediately attended to by emergency responders, though no further information on his condition was available at this time.
Authorities believe he may have attempted to drive himself to the hospital after the shooting.
The motive for the shooting remains unknown, and the investigation is ongoing. Updates will be provided as more details emerge.