By: Richard L. Smith
A Newark man has been arrested and charged in connection with a handgun incident inside the Garden State Plaza mall in Paramus late last month, authorities said.
Paramus Police Chief Robert M. Guidetti confirmed that Jamal Clark, 21, of Newark, was taken into custody and charged with second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and second-degree possession of a weapon without a permit.
The investigation began on December 30, 2025, when a shopper alerted mall security that a man was seen with a firearm tucked into his waistband while inside the mall.
Police were notified and began searching the area, but the suspect had already fled the scene in a vehicle.
Detectives later identified Clark as one of two men who allegedly carried handguns inside the shopping center during the incident.
One of the men was taken into custody, while the second individual has not yet been publicly identified.
No shots were fired and no injuries were reported during the incident. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to locate the second suspect.
Anyone with information related to the case is urged to contact the Paramus Police Department.