By: Richard L. Smith
Four individuals have been charged following a lengthy investigation into a shooting incident in Rochelle Park, authorities announced.
According to a statement released by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Rafaela R. Almeida, 28, and Ryoma M. Johns, 25, both of Newark, along with Ruan G. Rodrigues-Monteiro, 31, formerly of Bloomfield, and Igor Gomes Espindola DaSilva, 30, formerly of Newark, were identified as part of a conspiracy tied to the November 2024 incident.
Police were first called to Marion Avenue on November 22, 2024, after reports of gunfire. Responding officers located shell casings and a nearby vehicle riddled with bullet holes.
Investigators also discovered a threatening note left on the vehicle targeting the intended victim and their family.
A joint investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and Rochelle Park Police determined that Rodrigues-Monteiro allegedly organized the incident, working with the others to threaten the victim and arrange the shooting.
Authorities said the gunfire targeted an unoccupied vehicle and was carried out by a suspect who has not yet been identified.
Almeida and Johns were arrested on March 5 in Newark and later released pending court proceedings. Rodrigues-Monteiro was charged while already in state custody on an unrelated matter.
DaSilva remains at large and is considered a fugitive.
All four defendants face charges related to conspiracy involving weapons and threats.
The investigation remains active as authorities continue efforts to identify the individual who fired the shots.