Paterson man fatally shot in Lodi
The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office is investigating a shooting in Lodi that left one person dead.
Lodi police responded to 9 Victor St. just after 4:30 p.m. Tuesday after a report of gunfire, according to a press release from the Prosecutor's Office.
John Anthony DeLeon, 26, of Paterson, was found with multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The shooting occurred at a garden apartment complex right next to Kennedy Park. One day after the incident, torn-down police tape was still visible at the scene, but there were no other obvious signs that a crime had occurred.
Two neighbors who live near the apartment said they heard the shots and initially thought they were firecrackers. One neighbor, who has lived in her apartment for more than a decade, said she had never seen anything like it in Lodi.
"I just pray [for the victim]," she said.
The shooting is being investigated by the Prosecutor's Office and the Lodi Police Department.
Lodi Deputy Mayor Vincent Martin said it's an isolated incident, and that it was a shock to a town that isn't accustomed to much violent crime.
"The mood of the community from people I've spoken to is shock and concern," said Martin, a former Lodi detective. "If it happens every year or once every 10 years it's a concern."
Messages left with other Lodi officials were not immediately returned.
Tuesday's homicide marks the first killing in Lodi since a man's death outside Satin Dolls in May 2021. According to the New Jersey State Police Uniform Crime Report, the next-most-recent homicide in Lodi was in 2014, when two were reported. Before that, the most recent was in 2005.
"It doesn't happen often," Martin said.
Kaitlyn Kanzler covers Essex County for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: kanzler@northjersey.com
Twitter: @KaitlynKanzler8
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Lodi NJ shooting leaves Paterson man dead
