Elijah Ortiz
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Passaic Police Chief Luis A. Guzman announce that based upon an investigation by the Passaic Police Department, Elijah Ortiz, 20 years old, from Passaic, New Jersey, was arrested in relation to a shooting that took place March 12, 2023, in the area of 24 Martha Place, Passaic, New Jersey. Elijah Ortiz is charged with two counts of Attempted Murder, First Degree; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Second Degree; and two counts Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Second Degree.
On March 12, 2023, at approximately 10:35 p.m., members of the Passaic Police Department responded to the area of 24 Martha Place after they were advised of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers encountered a 21-year-old male Passaic resident suffering from a non-fatal gunshot wound and a 23-year-old male Passaic resident. The 21-year-old male was transported to Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson for treatment. Based on the investigation, Elijah Ortiz was identified as the shooter and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
On March 18, 2023, approximately 12:00 p.m., Elijah Ortiz turned himself in to the Passaic Police Department at 330 Passaic Street, Passaic, New Jersey.
The sentencing exposure for Elijah Ortiz on each count First-Degree Attempted Murder is 10-20 years New Jersey State Prison with 85% of that term to be served before parole eligibility pursuant to the No Early Release Act and five years parole supervision after release; 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; and on each count of 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.
The State intends to file a motion for pretrial detention on the new charges that will be heard by 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 Passaic Police Department Detective Bureau at 973-365-3938.