Passaic County officials announced that on June 22, Henry Rivera, 31, of Paterson, was arrested in connection with a homicide that took place earlier in the day in the area of 24 Ward Street in Paterson.
According to officials, at approximately 12:14 a.m., police officers responded to the area outside the residence located at 24 Ward Street in response to a report of an injured person.
Upon their arrival, the officers discovered Arthur Clauser, 52, also from Paterson, who had suffered an apparent stab wound. Mr. Clauser was transported to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson where he later succumbed to his wounds.
The investigation revealed that Clauser and Rivera were together with a group of friends outside of that location when they became engaged in a verbal altercation.
The verbal altercation escalated into a physical fight, during which Rivera stabbed Clauser in the torso and fled the scene.
Rivera surrendered himself without incident at Paterson Police headquarters later in the morning.
Rivera was charged with Murder, first degree; Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, third degree; and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, fourth degree.