Emmanuel Bernard
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Passaic Police Chief Luis A. Guzman announce that, based upon an investigation by the Passaic Police Department, Emmanuel Bernard, 18 years old, from Clifton, New Jersey, was arrested on July 6, 2023 in relation to a shooting that took place on June 22, 2023 near the intersection of 6th Avenue and Linden Street in Passaic, New Jersey.
Mr. Bernard is charged with two (2) counts of First Degree Attempted Murder, First Degree Conspiracy to Commit Murder, two (2) counts of Second Degree Aggravated Assault, Second Degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Third Degree Criminal Mischief, and Third Degree Receiving Stolen Property.
On June 22, 2023, the Passaic Police received a report of shots fired near the intersection of 6th Avenue and Linden Street in Passaic. Upon arrival, officers identified two victims who reported that they were occupants of a motor vehicle, and that an unidentified individual fired numerous shots at that vehicle while they were inside it. Officers examined the vehicle and estimated that it had been struck by approximately ten (10) gunshots. Although neither of the victims were struck by the gunfire, both sustained small lacerations after being struck with glass from the windows that were shattered by the gunshots. Based on the investigation, Mr. Bernard was identified, and a complaint warrant was issued on July 6, 2023, authorizing his arrest.
The sentencing exposure for Mr. Bernard on each count of First Degree Attempted Murder is 10-20 years New Jersey State Prison with 85% of the term to be served before parole eligibility pursuant to the No Early Release Act and five years parole supervision; on First Degree Conspiracy to Commit Murder is a 10 to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison with 85% of the term to be served before parole eligibility pursuant to the No Early Release Act and five years parole supervision; on each count of Second Degree Aggravated Assault, is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with 85% to be served before parole eligibility pursuant to the No Early Release Act and three years parole supervision; on Second Degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with 42 months of parole ineligibility pursuant to the Graves Act; on Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with 42 months of parole ineligibility pursuant to the Graves Act; on Third Degree Criminal Mischief is 3-5 years in New Jersey State Prison; and on Third Degree Receiving Stolen Property is 3-5 years in New Jersey State Prison.
At the time of his arrest, Mr. Bernard was being held at the Bergen County Jail on unrelated charges. The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office filed a motion for pre-trial detention, which will be heard by the Honorable Imre Karaszegi Jr. J.S.C. on July 12, 2023.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org or to contact the Passaic Police Department at (973) 365-3900.