By: Richard L. Smith
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes has announced the arrest of 46-year-old Alexander Gutierrez of Paterson in connection with a homicide that occurred on February 16, 2024.
The fatal incident took place in the area of East 21st Street and 19th Avenue in Paterson.
Gutierrez faces charges of first-degree murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, and second-degree possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose.
The arrest followed a joint investigation by the Paterson Police Department and the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office.
Passaic County officials said on the night of February 16, around 10:42 p.m., Paterson Police responded to a report of a shooting at a residence on East 21st Street.
Upon arrival, officers found Logan Gonzalez, a 33-year-old man from Union City, suffering from a gunshot wound to his lower back. Gonzalez was rushed to Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
The investigation revealed that Gutierrez, in possession of a revolver, shot Gonzalez.
The State plans to file a motion for pretrial detention against Gutierrez, which will be reviewed by a Superior Court Judge at a later date.
Murder charges in New Jersey carry a sentencing range of 30 years to life imprisonment, while the gun possession charges each have a sentencing range of 5 to 10 years in State Prison. It is important to note that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
