Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrests of Jiaro Echeverry for murder and Brian Guerrero of Paramus of Hindering Apprehension.
The arrest is the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti and the Hackensack Police Department under the direction of Officer in Charge Captain Peter Busciglio.
Officials say on Sunday, December 22, 2019, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office received information that a male party was shot and killed in front of the home located at 66 Grove Street in Hackensack.
The victim was identified as Christian Pacas, a 22-year-old Hackensack resident.
On December 23, 2019, police located and arrested in the men in Brooklyn, NY.
Echeverry was charged with one count of Murder, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1), a 1st degree crime; one count of Possession Of A Firearm For An Unlawful Purpose, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4a(1), a 2nd degree crime; and one count of Possession Of A Handgun Without A Permit, in violation of N.J.S.A. 39-5b(1), a 2nd degree crime.
Guerrero was charged with one count of Hindering Apprehension, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3a(1), a 3rd degree crime. Both are currently awaiting extradition from Brooklyn, NY.
Prosecutor Musella states that the charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and would like to thank the Hackensack Police Department for its assistance in this investigation.