By: Richard L. Smith
Passaic County officials reported that at approximately 5:37 a.m. on April 9, Paterson Police and New Jersey State Police responded to the Omar Mosque located at 501 Getty Avenue on a report of a stabbing.
Upon arrival, Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said Paterson Police Officers encountered a 32-year-old suspect inside the Mosque who congregants subdued.
Prosecutor Valdes said officers located a 65-year-old male suffering from non-fatal stab wounds.
The victim was transported to Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center for treatment.
Prosecutor Valdes said that based on the investigation, Serif Zorba was identified as the assailant who stabbed the victim and was subsequently arrested.
He was charged with Attempted Murder, First Degree; Possession Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Third Degree; and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Fourth Degree.
The sentencing exposure for Serif Zorba on Mr. Zorba will appear at Central Judicial Processing (CJP) Court Monday at 1:30.
The State will file a motion for pretrial detention that will be scheduled before a Superior Court Judge.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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 Department Detective Bureau at 973-321-1120