Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Chief Troy Oswald announce that Malachi Oji, 19, rom Paterson, has been arrested in connection to the homicide that took place on November 4, in the area of North 1st Street and Haledon Avenue in Paterson.
Police say during the afternoon on November 8, Oji voluntarily arrived at Paterson Police Headquarters and was arrested without incident.
According to police, Oji was subsequently charged with Murder, first degree; Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, second degree; and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Second degree.
Police say on November 4, at approximately 1:01 p.m., police officers responded to the area of North 1st Street and Haledon Avenue in the City of Paterson in response to a report of shots fired.
Upon their arrival, the officers discovered one victim, Niyam Deloatch, 20 years old from Prospect Park, with apparent gun shot wounds.
Mr. Deloatch was transported to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later.
The subsequent investigation revealed that Oji was driving in his vehicle in the area of Haledon Avenue with two other men, when they saw Deloatch.
Police say at that time Oji and the two other men started to approach Deloatch on foot when one of the other men brandished a handgun.
At that time the third man refused to participate and left the scene on foot, while Oji and the second man who was armed with the gun approached Deloatch, at which time the second suspect opened fire fatally wounding Deloatch. Both men then fled the scene in Oji’s vehicle.
Anyone with information regarding this incident or with information on the identity or the whereabouts of the second suspect are asked to contact the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org or contact the
Paterson Police Detective Bureau at 973-321-1120.
The State has filed a motion for pretrial detention regarding Mr. Oji in this matter that will be heard by a Superior Court Judge sometime next week at a date and time to be determined by the Court.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, defendants are presumed