Authorities in Passaic County said Mr. Jaquan A. Thomas, 31, from Paterson, was arrested on September 28, with the homicide on May 1, 2021, in the area of Totowa and Redwood Avenues in the city of Paterson.
According to authorities, at approximately 6:57 p.m., the Paterson Police Department members were dispatched to the intersection of Totowa Avenue and Redwood Avenue in Paterson in response to a report of a shooting.
Upon arrival, officers located Jose Figueroa, 21, Newark, lying in the street with apparent gunshot wounds.
Police say Mr. Figueroa was immediately transported to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, where he was later pronounced deceased.
The subsequent investigation revealed that the shooting was a coordinated attack involving multiple shooters in multiple locations and that Thomas was involved in the planning and ordering of the others to conduct the shooting.
Police say Thomas was taken into custody, without incident, by the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force in Delaware, and he waived his extradition to New Jersey.
Several other individuals have been arrested in connection with the May 1, 2021 murder of Mr. Figueroa: On June 1, 2021, Chelsee Ramirez, 19, Paterson, and a 17-year-old juvenile male, also from Paterson, were arrested and charged; on September 10, 2021, Ismael Leon, 19, Paterson, and another 17-year-old juvenile male, from Clifton, were also arrested and charged; and on September 13, 2021, Jenna Peselli, 24, from Newton, surrendered to authorities and was also charged in connection with the murder of Mr. Figueroa.
Passaic County officials said Mr. Thomas was charged with murder, first degree; Conspiracy to Commit murder, first degree; Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose, second degree; and Unlawful Possession of a Handgun, second degree.
Thomas is currently in custody at the Passaic County Jail.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office has filed a motion for pre-trial detention, which a Superior Court Judge will hear the case at a day and time to be determined by the Court.