Investigations into Paterson Shootings Lead to Multiple Arrests

PATERSON, NJ - Law enforcement officials have announced the arrest of three individuals as well as charges against a juvenile in connection with multiple shooting incidents in Paterson.

The arrests were made following a collaborative investigation by the Paterson Police Department Shooting Investigation Unit, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, the New Jersey State Police Violent & Organized Crime Control North Bureau, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

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June 4 Shooting

Gabriel Mercado, a 23-year-old resident of Lodi, New Jersey, was apprehended on June 27, 2024, in connection with a shooting that occurred on June 4, 2024, near 10th Avenue and East 23rd Street in Paterson. Mercado faces several charges, including:

• Attempted Murder (First Degree)
• Unlawful Possession of a Handgun (Second Degree)
• Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose (Second Degree)
• Aggravated Assault (Fourth Degree)
• Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Third Degree)

As previously reported, at approximately 10:51 p.m. on the day of the incident, Paterson Police responded to a reported shooting in the area and discovered a 29-year-old male victim with non-fatal gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center for treatment. Subsequent investigations identified Mercado as the shooter.

During the arrest, which took place during a motor vehicle stop, Mercado was accompanied by Issac Mejia, a 23-year-old from Paterson. Both individuals, as result of the traffic stop, were charged with:

• Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Second Degree)
• Possession of a Weapon During a CDS Offense (Second Degree)
• Possession of CDS (Third Degree)
• Possession of CDS with the Intent to Distribute (Third Degree)
• Possession of a High-Capacity Magazine (Fourth Degree)

April 17 Shooting

Mercado is also facing charges from a prior shooting incident on April 17, 2024 , near Lyon Street and Mercer Street in Paterson. The charges include:

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• Attempted Murder (First Degree)
• Unlawful Possession of a Handgun (Second Degree)
• Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose (Second Degree)
• Possession of a Defaced Firearm (Fourth Degree)
• Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine (Fourth Degree)
• Receiving Stolen Property (Third Degree)
• Obstruction (Fourth Degree)
• Hindering (Third Degree)
• Tampering with Evidence (Fourth Degree)

In addition to Mercado, two other individuals were charged in connection with the April 17 incident:

1. Steven Batista, 20, from Malden, Massachusetts:
   • Attempted Murder (First Degree)
   • Unlawful Possession of a Handgun (Second Degree)
   • Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose (Second Degree)
   • Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine (Fourth Degree)
   • Joyriding (Fourth Degree)
   • Obstruction (Fourth Degree)
   • Hindering (Third Degree)
   • Tampering with Evidence (Fourth Degree)
2. A 17-year-old juvenile from Paterson:
   • Acts of juvenile delinquency equivalent to the charges faced by Batista and Mercado

Paterson Police responded to the April 17 shooting at around 3:14 p.m. A victim was identified but did not suffer any gunshot wounds. Investigations revealed Mercado, Batista, and the juvenile as the perpetrators. Batista and the juvenile were arrested on the same day, with Batista being ordered to remain behind bars until the trial.

The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about any of these incidents to contact them on their tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org or to contact the Paterson Police Shooting Investigation Unit at 973-321-1342.

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