Jhon Garcia
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Department Officer-In-Charge Isa Abbassi announce that based upon an investigation by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office and the Paterson Police Department Shooting Investigation Unit, Jhon Garcia, 29 years-old, from Paterson, New Jersey, was arrested on July 16, 2024, in connection to the shooting that took place on July 5, 2024, in the area of Park Avenue and East 18th Street, Paterson, New Jersey. Mr. Garcia is charged with Attempted Murder, first degree, Unlawful Possession of Weapon, second degree, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, second degree, and Certain Persons not to Possess a Weapon, second degree.
At approximately 5:22 a.m. on July 5, 2024, members of the Paterson Police Department were dispatched to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center to meet with a 33-year-old male from Passaic, New Jersey who suffered from a non-fatal gunshot wound. Members of the Paterson Police Department were able to determine that the shooting took place in the area of Park Avene and East 18th Street.
The subsequent investigation revealed that Mr. Garcia was responsible for the shooting. On July 16, 2024, at approximately 7:00 a.m. Mr. Garcia was arrested by the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office without incident. He was additionally charged with Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, third degree.
The crime of Attempted Murder, first degree, has a sentencing range of 10 to 20 years in prison with a requirement to serve 85% of the sentence before parole eligibility. Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, second degree, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, second degree, both have a sentencing range of 5 to 10 years in prison with 42 months to be served before parole eligibility. The crime of Certain Person not to Possess a Weapon, second degree, has a sentencing range of 5 to 10 years in prison with 5 years to be served before parole eligibility. The crime of Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, third degree, has a sentencing range of 3 to 5 years in prison.
The State has filed a motion for pretrial detention that will be scheduled before a Superior Court Judge. Criminal complaints are merely accusations. Despite these accusations, defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
These investigations remain active and ongoing. More information will be released once it becomes available.
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 Shooting Investigation Unit at 973-321-1342.