Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Chief Ibrahim Baycora announce that based upon an investigation by the Paterson Police Department, in conjunction with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Wayne A. Smith, 37, from Paterson, was arrested in relation to an shooting investigation that took place the same day in the area of East 32nd Street Paterson.
Police say Mr. Smith is charged with Attempted Murder, First Degree; Unlawful Possession of a Handgun, Second Degree; and Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose, Second Degree.
Police say on Friday at approximately 4:33 p.m., members of the Paterson Police Department were dispatched to the area of East 32nd Street Paterson, NJ on a report of a shooting. Upon arrival the police located a 33-year-old male Paterson resident who had sustained a non-fatal gunshot wound.
The victim was immediately transported to Saint Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Paterson for treatment.
Based on the investigation Mr. Smith was identified as the shooter and was arrested the same evening in the area of East 26th Street Paterson, New Jersey.
The sentencing exposure for Mr. Smith on First Degree Attempted Murder is 10-20 years New Jersey State Prison with 85% of the term to be served before parole pursuant to the No Early Release Act and 5 years parole supervision; on Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with a minimum of 42 months before parole eligibility pursuant to the Graves Act; and on Second Degree Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with 42 months of parole ineligibility pursuant to the Graves Act.
The State has filed a motion for pretrial detention in this matter that will be heard by Judge a Superior Court Judge.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org or contact the Paterson Police Department at 973-321-1120.