Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Chief Troy Oswald announce that based upon an investigation by the Paterson Police Department, in conjunction with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, a 17-year-old male from Paterson, was arrested today in relation to a homicide that took place in the area of 404 East 34th Street in Paterson.
Police say the juvenile is charged with acts of delinquency which would constitute the crimes of Murder, first degree; Felony Murder, first degree; Robbery, first degree; Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, second degree; and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, second degree.
According to polic,’on July 26th at approximately 12:42, a.m., police responded to the area of 404 East 34th Street in the City of Paterson in response to a report of a motor vehicle accident.
Upon their arrival they located Rui Zhou, 29-years-old from Paterson, unresponsive in the driver’s seat of his vehicle, a white Toyota Highlander, which had struck another vehicle.
Police say Mr. Zhou’s wife, 29 year-old Xiaomei Liu, was in the passenger seat of the vehicle and did not suffer any physical injuries.
Mr. Zhou suffered an apparent gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson at approximately 1:09 a.m. police said.
Police say during the investigation, it was determined that the victim and his wife were making the last food delivery for the night from the restaurant which they owned when they were approached by the juvenile actor.
Police say at that time, the juvenile took out a handgun and demanded money from the victims. A struggle ensued and as Mr. Zhou tried to drive away the juvenile fired the gun, hitting Zhou while he was still in his vehicle.
The juvenile is scheduled to appear in Family Court for his first appearance on Tuesday July 31, 2018 at 9:00, a.m.
A juvenile delinquency complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the juvenile is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org or contact the Paterson Police Detective Bureau at 973-321-1120.
For media inquiries concerning this case, contact Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jason Statuto of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office at jstatuto@passaiccountynj.org or at (973) 837-7733.