Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Chief Troy Oswald announce that Ramon “Lavar” Belfield has been arrested in connection to the homicide that took place in August in the area of 271 Summer Street in Paterson.
Official say October 4, at approximately 8:02 p.m., officers arrested Belfield in the area of 246 Market Street in Paterson without incident.
Police say Belfield is charged with Murder, first degree; Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, second degree; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Second degree; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, first degree, and Certain Persons not to Possess Firearms, second degree.
Officials say at approximately 10:20 p.m., police officers responded to the area of 271 Summer Street in the City of Paterson in response to a report of shots fired.
Upon their arrival, the officers discovered the victim, Mr. Kevin Lewis, 28, from Paterson, lying in the street unresponsive having suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
The victim was transported to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson, where he was immediately rushed into surgery.
A short time later, Mr. Lewis died from his wounds and was pronounced deceased at approximately 5:15 a.m.
The investigation revealed that there had been an ongoing dispute between the victim and Belfield, and while they were hanging out with a larger group of people on the evening of August 4th outside on Summer Street, an argument ensued and Belfield took out a handgun and opened fire on Lewis.
The State has filed a motion for pretrial detention in this matter that will be heard by a Superior Court Judge sometime next week at a date and time to be determined by the Court.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation.
Despite this accusation, defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.