Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Deputy Paterson Police Chief Heriberto Rodriguez announce that based upon an investigation by the Paterson Police Department, in conjunction with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Keith Hunt, 27-years-old, from Paterson, New Jersey, was arrested this morning in relation to a homicide that took place on May 1, 2017, near the corner of Essex Street and Madison Street in the City of Paterson.
Authorities charged Mr. Hunt with the following crimes: First Degree Murder, First Degree Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Second Degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, and Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon.
Police said on May 1st, Paterson police responded to a shooting incident at the corner of Essex Street and Madison Street in Paterson.
At that time they discovered the victim, Juan Martinez, with apparent gunshot wounds. Mr. Martinez later died from his injuries authorities said.
Based on an ongoing investigation, Keith Hunt was identified as a suspect for this incident and was charged as a fugitive on May 3, 2017. Keith Hunt was taken into custody early this morning without incident at a residence located at 165 North 7th Street in Paterson.
Keith Hunt’s brother Kaheem Hunt – a Paterson firefighter - was also charged for the same offenses on May 3, 2017. Kaheem Hunt was subsequently released from the Passaic County Jail by the Court and ordered to wear an electronic monitoring device. Kaheem Hunt’s charges are currently pending presentment to the Grand Jury. Police charged Kaheem as the getaway driver among other charges.
This matter remains an active and ongoing investigation.