Erlyn Nunez
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Department Officer-InCharge Isa Abbassi announce that based upon an investigation by the Paterson Police Department, in conjunction with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Erlyn Nunez, 21-years old from Paterson, was charged on June 5, 2023 in connection to the homicide which occurred on May 21, 2023 in the area of River Street and East 13th Street in the City of Paterson. Mr. Erlyn Nunez was charged with Murder, first degree, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, second degree, Unlawful Possession of an Assault Firearm, second degree, and Unlawful Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine, fourth degree.
On Sunday, May 21, 2023, at approximately 2:25 a.m., members of the Paterson Police Department responded to the area of River Street and East 13th Street in Paterson, New Jersey on a report of a shooting. Upon their arrival, officers located one victim, a 22-year-old male from Paterson, with gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to St. Joseph’s Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. The subsequent investigation revealed that the shooting took place in the area of River Street and East 13th Street, and that Nunez was the individual who fired the weapon that ultimately killed the victim.
Nunez is currently in custody at the Bergen County Jail awaiting his first appearance at Central Judicial Processing. The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office will file a motion for pre-trial detention which will be heard by a Superior Court Judge at a date and time to be determined by the Court.
The crime of Murder has a sentencing range from a minimum of 30 years up to life imprisonment; Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose and Unlawful Possession of an Assault Rifle have a sentencing range of 5 to 10 years in prison; and Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine has a sentence range of up to 18 months in prison.
Criminal complaints are merely accusations. Despite these accusations, the 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 contact the Paterson Police Detective Bureau at 973-321-1120.