By: Richard L. Smith
Authorities have announced multiple arrests following a violent altercation and reported gunfire inside the food court at Willowbrook Mall late last month.
According to police, at approximately 7:03 p.m. on December 30, 2025, officers from the Wayne Police Department Patrol Division responded to reports of a fight and a shot fired inside the mall’s food court.
When officers arrived, they encountered a chaotic scene with numerous patrons fleeing the area.
While working to secure the scene, officers were approached by a witness who identified three males allegedly involved in the altercation.
Officers detained the individuals and reviewed surveillance footage, which confirmed their involvement in the fight that preceded the gunshot.
Those three suspects, two adults and one juvenile, were arrested at the scene.
Police said three additional suspects involved in the fight, including the individual who fired the gunshot, fled the mall and were not immediately located.
Numerous law enforcement agencies responded to assist with evacuating and securing the mall.
The investigation was taken over by the Wayne Police Investigative Division with assistance from the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Paterson Police SIU, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and other agencies.
Following several days of reviewing surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and conducting investigative work, authorities identified one adult and two juvenile suspects believed to be responsible for the gunfire and related offenses.
In the early morning hours of January 9, 2026, Wayne police — assisted by Paterson Police SIU, Paterson Police ERT, Passaic County SWAT, ATF, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Winslow Township Police, and the Camden County Sheriff’s Office SERT, executed search operations at multiple locations in the City of Paterson and one location in Winslow Township.
Those searches resulted in the arrest of the three outstanding suspects from the mall incident, as well as one additional arrest.
A stolen handgun was also recovered.
Arrests on December 30, 2025
• Ashir Walker, 18, of Paterson
Charged with inciting a public brawl, disorderly conduct, and simple assault.
• Kashjeme Powell, 18, of Paterson
Charged with inciting a public brawl, disorderly conduct, and simple assault.
• Juvenile, 17, of Paterson
Charged with inciting a public brawl, disorderly conduct, and simple assault.
Additional Arrests on January 9, 2026
• Wilhelmina Kelson, 62, of Paterson
Charged with hindering apprehension.
• Juvenile, 17, of Paterson
Charged with possession of a large-capacity magazine, riot involving a firearm, simple assault, inciting a public brawl, risking widespread injury, and tampering with evidence.
• Juvenile, 17, of Paterson
Charged with inciting a public brawl, riot involving a firearm, simple assault, unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, risking widespread injury, terroristic threats, underage possession of a handgun, and related offenses.
Authorities emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing.