Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Department Officer-In-Charge Patrick Murray announce that a 17-year-old male from Paterson has been charged in connection to the March 22, 2025, homicide which occurred in the area of 12th Avenue and East 24th Street in Paterson. The juvenile is charged with acts of juvenile delinquency that would constitute the crimes of Murder, first degree; Conspiracy to Commit Murder, first degree; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, second degree; and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, second degree, if he were an adult.
On March 22, 2025, at approximately 5:05 p.m., members of the Paterson Police Department responded to the area of 12th Avenue and East 24th Street in Paterson, New Jersey on a report of shots fired. When officers arrived on scene, they discovered the victim, Jah’Zyer Montgomery, a 21-year-old male from Garfield, New Jersey. The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was transported to Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. The subsequent investigation resulted in the identification of the 17-year-old male as one of the individuals involved in the shooting. The juvenile was taken into custody on March 31, 2025, without incident and is currently detained pending further court proceedings.
A juvenile delinquency complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the juvenile is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The matter has been referred to the Passaic County Family Court, Juvenile Part, for further proceedings.
This investigation remains active and ongoing. More information will be released when 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 Detective Bureau at 973-321-1120.