Passaic County authorities reported that Mr. Ernest Fuentes, a 19-year-old from Passaic and a 17-year old juvenile were charged with a shooting investigation that took place November 21, in the area of Lafayette Avenue and Howe Avenue in Passaic.
Authorities said on November 21, at approximately 12:55 a.m., members of the Passaic Police Department responded to the area of Lafayette Avenue and Howe Avenue in Passaic on a report of a shooting.
Upon arrival, the police located a potential crime scene a 4-year-old child, a 21- year-old female Passaic resident, a 25-year-old female Newark resident and a 29-year-old male Newark resident who each sustained non-fatal gunshot wounds.
The victims were immediately transported to Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson for treatment.
Police located a fifth victim, a 21-year-old male Passaic resident, who had sustained a graze wound during the shooting and refused medical treatment.
Police determined that a group gathered for an event in a tent in the backyard of a residence located at Lafayette Avenue and Howe Avenue when two gunmen opened fire, striking the victims.
Based on the investigation, Ernest Fuentes and the 17-year-old juvenile were identified as the shooters and issued arrest warrants.
Authorities charged Fuentes with five counts of Attempted Murder, First Degree; five counts of Aggravated Assault, Second Degree; five counts of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Second Degree; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Second Degree; Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Third Degree; and Employing a Juvenile in the Commission of a Crime, First Degree.
The juvenile has been charged with five counts of Attempted Murder, First Degree; five counts of Aggravated Assault, Second Degree; five counts of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Second Degree; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Second Degree; and Possession of a Firearm by a Minor, Fourth Degree.
On November 23, at approximately 2:12 p.m., members of the Passaic Police Department arrested the 17-year-old juvenile in the area of Jefferson Street and Hoover Avenue in Passaic.
The juvenile was remanded pending further proceedings in the Family Court.
On December 18, at approximately 6:49 p.m., members of the Passaic Police Department located Ernest Fuentes seated in the front passenger seat of a motor vehicle in the area of Liberty Street and Oak Street in Passaic.
Mr. Fuentes was arrested after a brief motor vehicle pursuit and foot chase. Following his arrest, Ernest Fuentes was charged additionally with Resisting Arrest, Fourth Degree.
Upon adjudication of delinquency, the sentencing exposure for the 17-year-old juvenile on each first-degree charge carries a maximum custodial term of 4 years in the care and custody of the Juvenile Justice Commission upon adjudication of delinquency, while the second-degree charges carry a maximum custodial term of 3 years, and the fourth-degree charge carries a maximum custodial term of 12 months.