By: Yuritza Arroyo
Authorities in Passaic County announced that based upon an investigation, Shaquan Winstead, 28 years old from Paterson; David Armfield, 31 years old from Paterson; and Stephanie French, 26 years old from Totowa, were arrested in connection to the homicide that took place on October 1, 2022, in the area of Van Houten Street and Summer Street in Paterson.
According to Passaic County officials, Armfield and French were arrested on January 11 without incident.
Authorities say Winstead was arrested in Virginia on January 10 and will be extradited back to New Jersey.
Shaquan Winstead and David Armfield are charged with Murder, first degree; Attempted Murder, first degree; Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose, second degree; Unlawful Possession of a Handgun, second degree; and Certain Persons Not To Possess Weapons, second degree. Stephanie French is charged with Hindering Apprehension, third-degree.
According to Paterson Police, on October 1, 2022, at approximately 10:36 p.m., members of the officers responded to the area of Van Houten Street and Summer Street in Paterson after a report of a shooting.
Police say upon their arrival, officers did not locate any victims but were advised there were two gunshot victims at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center.
One victim, a 42- year-old male from Paterson identified as Briheem Nero, was pronounced dead.
According to authorities, the second victim, a 49-year-old female from Paterson, sustained a gunshot wound to the arm and survived.
Authorities say the subsequent investigation revealed that Shaquan Winstead and David Armfield took part in the shooting.
Stephanie French assisted Shaquan Winstead with avoiding apprehension. Shaquan Winstead and David Armfield are currently detained. Stephanie French was released pending a date at Central Judicial Processing.
According to officials, the State will file motions for pretrial detention against Shaquan Winstead and David Armfield that a Superior Court Judge will hear.
The crime of Murder has a sentencing range from a minimum of 30 years up to life imprisonment; the crime of Attempted Murder has a sentencing range of 10 to 20 years in prison; the crimes of Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose, Unlawful Possession of a Handgun, and Certain Persons Not to Possess Weapons each have a sentencing range of 5 to 10 years in prison.
The crime of Hindering Apprehension carries a maximum sentence of 5 years in State Prison.