Man killed, woman critically injured in Paterson shooting
A man was killed and a woman was critically injured in a shooting early Sunday morning in Paterson, police said.
Authorities released few details of the shooting, which occurred around 1:47 a.m. near Belle Avenue and Hopper Street.
Police called to the scene found a 45-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman, both from Paterson, with gunshot wounds. The woman was taken to St. Joseph's University Medical Center, where she was in critical condition Sunday morning.
The victims were not identified. Police were still looking for suspects.
Anyone with information can contact the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office tip line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org or contact the Paterson Police Detective Bureau at 973-321-1120.
Police had the area cordoned off for several hours early Sunday morning as they searched for evidence. A plastic sheet was draped over a body at the scene, in a neighborhood of mostly three-story multifamily houses in the city's Northside near its border with Prospect Park.
It was the 18th homicide in Paterson this year. The Silk City had a record number of homicides last year, with 29.
The latest homicide comes as Paterson's police force is in turmoil.
On Tuesday, Mayor Andre Sayegh filed termination papers for Police Chief Ibrahim Baycora, calling him "an absentee chief." This came just days after the chief sued Sayegh and the city, accusing the mayor of creating a hostile work environment and trying to force him out of the job by “badmouthing him” to subordinates and community leaders.
Earlier this month, several former police officers known as the "robbery squad" were sentenced to prison and probation for their part in robbing and beating people they illegally stopped in Paterson — crimes they tried to cover up with false police reports.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Overnight shooting in Paterson brings homicide tally to 18 for 2022
