By: Richard L. Smith
Authorities in Passaic County have announced charges against a 17-year-old Paterson resident in connection with a deadly shooting that occurred late last month.
According to details released by Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Officer-In-Charge Patrick Murray, the teenager is facing multiple charges related to the March 22, homicide of 21-year-old Jah’Zyer Montgomery, a Garfield resident.
Paterson police responded to reports of gunfire near 12th Avenue and East 24th Street at approximately 5:05 p.m. on March 22. Upon arrival, officers found Montgomery suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
He was transported to Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
Following an investigation, authorities identified the 17-year-old as a suspect in the case. He was taken into custody on March 31 without incident and remains in detention while awaiting further court proceedings.
Officials emphasized that the charges are accusations at this stage and that the juvenile is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
The juvenile has been charged with acts of juvenile delinquency, which would equate to the adult offenses of first-degree murder, first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
The case has been referred to the Juvenile Part of the Passaic County Family Court for ongoing legal proceedings.