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Update: Landlord, Tenant Dispute Results in Fatal Shooting in Hasbrouck Heights

Hasbrouck Heights New Jersey

Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli said this morning that an 83-year-old Hasbrouck Heights man is facing charges for the death of his 58-year-old tenant.

Yesterday, the suspect - John C. Wisse - called 911 to report that his downstairs tenant of his Passaic Street home had been shot at approximately 4:58 p.m.

Upon arrival, authorities discovered the tenants body - later identified as Gerard Velardi Jr. - downstairs in the rear of home.

Wisse who remained at the scene was apprehended by police in possession of a .38 caliber handgun.

Investigation revealed that a verbal dispute ensued between Wisse (landlord) and Velardi (tenant) which resulted in Wisse firing a single gunshot to Velardi's chest.

Wisse was charged with aggravated manslaughter.

He was being held on $750,000 bail in the Bergen County Jail.

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