Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Chief Troy Oswald announce that a 14 year old male from Paterson has been arrested and charged in connection to the December 20, 2019 homicide which occurred outside of 378 Rosa Parks Boulevard.
The juvenile is charged with acts of juvenile delinquency that would constitute the crimes of Murder, first degree; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, second degree; and Possession of Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, second degree, if he were an adult police said.
Police say on Friday, December 20, 2019, at approximately 4:58 p.m., police officers responded to the area outside 378 Rosa Parks Boulevard in the City of Paterson in response to a report of shots fired.
Upon their arrival, the officers discovered one victim with apparent gunshot wound, Sadott Free, 22-years-old from Paterson.
Mr. Free was transported to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.
Police say Quadir McRae, 24-years-old from Paterson, also suffered a gunshot wound, however he had been transported to St. Joseph’s by way of a private vehicle prior to the arrival of the first responders.
Mr. McRae was admitted in stable condition and later released from the hospital.
The investigation revealed that McRae and the juvenile were traveling with an adult female, who then dropped them off at the restaurant located at 378 Rosa Parks Boulevard.
A short time later, McRae and Free became involved in a physical fight outside, at which time the juvenile fired a handgun at Free striking him in the torso.
After he was shot, Free went into the restaurant seeking help before first responders arrived.
Police say, McRae was also struck in the leg by the shots fired by the juvenile, at which time McRae and the juvenile were driven to the hospital by the same adult female who had originally driven them to the restaurant.
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 Paterson Police Detective Bureau at 973-321-1120.