Serif Zorba
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes announces that at approximately 5:37 a.m. on April 9, 2023, members of the Paterson Police Department and New Jersey State Police responded to the Omar Mosque located at 501 Getty Avenue in Paterson, New Jersey on a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, Police Officers encountered a 32-year-old suspect inside of the Mosque who was subdued by congregants.
Officers located a 65-year-old male suffering from non-fatal stab wounds. The victim was transported to Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson for treatment. Based on the investigation, Serif Zorba was identified as the assailant who stabbed the victim and was subsequently arrested.
Mr. Zorba is charged with Attempted Murder, First Degree; Possession Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Third Degree; and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Fourth Degree.
The sentencing exposure for Serif Zorba on 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 5 years of parole supervision upon release; on Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose it is 3-5 years New Jersey State Prison; and on Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, it is up to18 months New Jersey State Prison.
Mr. Zorba’s will appear at Central Judicial Processing (CJP) Court tomorrow at 1:30. The State will file a motion for pretrial detention that will be scheduled before a Superior Court Judge.
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 contact the Paterson Police Department Detective Bureau at 973-321-1120.