Walter Simon
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, Paterson Police Department Officer-In-Charge Isa Abbassi, and Prospect Park Police Department Office-In-Charge Captain Walter Richmond announce that based upon an investigation by the Paterson Police Department in conjunction with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office and Prospect Park Police Department, Walter Simon, 19-years-old from Paterson, New Jersey, was arrested in relation to a shooting investigation that took place on June 6, 2023, in the area of North 4th Street and Halpine Street in Paterson, New Jersey. Walter Simon is charged with Aggravated Assault Second Degree; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon Second Degree; Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose Second Degree, and Possession of a Defaced Firearm Fourth Degree.
At approximately 6:24 p.m. on June 6, 2023, Paterson Police responded to the area of North 4th Street and Halpine Street in Paterson, New Jersey on report of shots fired. Paterson Police located a 18 year-old male Paterson, New Jersey suffering from a non- fatal gunshot wound. Aid was immediately rendered to the victim and a potential crime scene was located in the area.
After the incident, Mr. Simon fled the area and was arrested a short time later in the area of North 6th Street and Planten Avenue in Prospect Park, New Jersey by members of the Prospect Park Police Department.
The sentencing exposure for Walter Simon on Second Degree Aggravated Assault is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with 85% of the term to be served before parole eligibility pursuant to the No Early Release Act and 3 years parole supervision; on Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with a minimum of 42 months before parole eligibility pursuant to the Graves Act; on Second Degree Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with 42 months of parole ineligibility pursuant to the Graves Act; on Possession of a Defaced Firearm it is 1 year to 18 months New Jersey State Prison.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. More information will be released once it becomes available.
Walter Simon is scheduled to appear at Central Judicial Processing (CJP) Court on June 8, 2023. The state will be filing a motion for pre-trial detention that will be heard by a Superior Court Judge. A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is 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 contact the Paterson Police Ceasefire Unit at 973-321-1342.