Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Chief Troy Oswald announce that this afternoon, a 13-year-old Paterson resident was arrested and charged with acts of delinquency relating to the death of a 13-year-old victim on October 6, in the area of 133 Harrison Street in the City of Paterson.
The charges of delinquency, if committed by an adult, would constitute the crimes of Aggravated Manslaughter, first degree, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, second degree.
Official say, at approximately 3:45 p.m., police officers responded to the area behind 133 Harrison Street in the City of Paterson in response to a report of the discovery of a body.
Upon their arrival, the officers discovered one deceased male juvenile, later identified as a 13-year-old from Paterson.
An autopsy later determined that the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head, and the manner of death was a homicide.
The investigation revealed that the two juveniles were hanging out together, and were playing with a handgun. The gun accidentally discharged, striking the victim in the back of the head as the other juvenile was playing with the weapon.
A juvenile delinquency complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the juvenile is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The matter has been referred to the Passaic County Family Court, Juvenile Part, for further proceedings.
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 Passaic Police Department Detective Bureau at 973-365-3939.