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PATERSON

Girl, 17, hit by gunfire in Paterson, authorities say

Gene Myers
NorthJersey

PATERSON – Three men were arrested on charges of attempted murder after a teenage girl suffered multiple gunshot wounds Sunday in the area of Carroll Street and 12th Avenue in Paterson, authorities said.  

Andre Green, 20, Kashief Davis, 24, and Jaquan Lugo, 22, all of Paterson, were taken into custody by the Paterson Police Department, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Deputy Paterson Police Chief Heriberto Rodriguez said in a news release.

"Based upon an investigation a total of six victims were identified, however the only victim who sustained injuries is a 17-year-old juvenile female from Michigan, who remains in stable but critical condition at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center from multiple gunshot wounds," the news release said.

An off-duty police officer heard gunfire coming from 114 Godwin Ave. about 2:20 a.m., the prosecutor's office said. As the officer approached, a group fled in a car. The officer chased as the suspects fired at him. 

The off-duty officer did not return fire and continued to follow until the car stopped on Clinton Street, where its occupants abandoned the car and ran, the prosecutor's office said.

At this point on-duty officers joined the pursuit and captured the three men. No officers were injured.

Police at the scene where a person was shot on Godwin Avenue at Carroll Street in Paterson around 2:20 a.m. on Sunday. After the shooting, a chase reportedly ensued between the shooter and an off-duty and on-duty police officer in which shots were fired at police before the suspects were arrested.

Green, Davis, and Lugo were charged with six counts of attempted murder, first degree; three counts unlawful possession of a weapon, second degree; 18 counts of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second degree; and one count of possession of a prohibited weapon, fourth degree. Lugo was also charged with certain persons not to possess weapons, second degree.

A jail conviction for first-degree attempted murder conviction of can mean 10 to 20 years in state prison. The state intends to seek pretrial detention of the suspects.

The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office requests that anyone with information about this incident call the tips line at 877-370-7276, email tips@passaiccountynj.org or contact the Paterson Police Ceasefire Unit at 973-321-1342.