By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Bergen County announced the arrest of 20-year-old Mikhi Maddox Odum, of Garfield, along with criminal charges filed against 20-year-old Jonathan M. Ortiz, of Garfield, in relation to a shooting that occurred in Garfield on Tuesday, September 2.
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella stated these charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck, and the Garfield Police Department, under the direction of Chief Joseph Delaney.
According to Bergen County officials, on Tuesday, September 2, at approximately 9:07 a.m., the Garfield Police Department responded to the intersection of Palisade Avenue and Somerset Street following reports of gunfire.
Responding officers arrived on scene and discovered evidence of a shooting; however, no victim was located, BCPO officials say.
Bergen County authorities state that detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit were notified, responded to the scene, and initiated a joint investigation with the Garfield Police Department.
The Bergen County Sheriff's Office also responded to the scene to assist. During the course of the investigation, detectives determined that seven gunshots were fired in the street between two men who fled the scene immediately after their altercation, BCPO officials stated.
According to Bergen County officials, detectives identified Mikhi Maddox Odum and Jonathan M. Ortiz as the men who discharged firearms during the incident.
As a result of the investigation, on Tuesday, September 2, Jonathan M. Ortiz was charged with second-degree aggravated assault by attempting to cause serious bodily injury by discharging a firearm, second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, second-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, and fourth-degree aggravated assault by pointing a firearm, Bergen County authorities said.
BCPO officials say that within hours of the shooting incident, and with the assistance of the Bergen County Regional SWAT Team, detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Garfield Police Department executed a court-authorized search warrant at Jonathan M. Ortiz's residence in Garfield.
During the search, detectives recovered the handgun used in the shooting, Bergen County officials said.
Bergen County officials stated that to date, attempts by detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Garfield Police Department to locate and arrest Ortiz have been unsuccessful; he remains a fugitive from justice.
The following day, on Wednesday, September 3, with assistance from the Bergen County Regional SWAT Team, detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Garfield Police Department executed a court-authorized search warrant at the residence of Mikhi Maddox Odum in Garfield, BCPO officials said.
BCPO Officials say Odumwas located and arrested without incident. Detectives recovered the handgun used during the shooting inside Odum’s home, where children were present.
As a result of the investigation, Mikhi Maddox Odum was taken into custody and charged with second-degree aggravated assault by attempting to cause serious bodily injury by discharging a firearms, second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, second-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, two counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and fourth-degree aggravated assault by pointing a firearm, Bergen County officials said. 
BCPO officials say Odum was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending his first appearance in the Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Jonathan M. Ortiz is asked to contact the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Tip Line at 201-226-5532.