18-Year-Old Garfield Man & 22-Year-Old Elmwood Park Woman Charged For Lying To Police In Shooting Incident

Friday, August 23, 2034, 10:00 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

GARFIELD, NJ.- On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, an 18-year-old Garfield, New Jersey, man and a 22-year-old Elmwood Park, New Jersey, woman were taken into custody and charged in connection with a shooting incident that occurred on July 26, 2024, at Belmont Park in Garfield, New Jersey.

     According to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, on Friday, July 26, 2024, a gunshot victim arrived at Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson, New Jersey, seeking treatment for a gunshot wound to the leg. The Paterson Police Department was notified, and Police Officers responded to the medical center and identified the victim as Damien I. Flores, 18, of Garfield, New Jersey.

Investigation

     During the initial investigation, Flores provided a statement to Police Officers that he was shot in a drive-by-shooting near Belmont Park in Garfield, New Jersey. Paterson Police Officers notified the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Squad and a joint investigation was launched with Detectives from the Garfield Police Department.

     During the ensuing investigation, Detectives determined that during the early morning hours of July 26, 2024, Flores was driven to Saint Joseph’s Univerity Medical Center with a gunshot wound to his leg. The injury was non-life threatening, and Flores had arrived in a car driven by Samantha N. Delacruz, 22, of Elmwood Park, New Jersey.

     As the investigation continued, Delacruz provided a conflicting statement to Detectives about the events of that night. Detectives concluded that there was no drive-by-shooting in the Belmont Park area, as first reported by Flores, and the gunshot was an accidental, self-inflicted wound that occurred inside Delacruz’s vehicle.

Charges Filed

     Accordingly, at the conclusion of the investigation on Wednesday, Detectives arrested Flores and Delacruz without incident. Flores was formally charged with second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon; and fourth-degree False Report to Law Enforcement. Flores was processed on the charges and was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending future court proceedings in Bergen County Superior Court.

     Detectives formally charged Delacruz with third-degree Hindering; and fourth-degree False Report to Law Enforcement. Delacruz was processed on the charges and was released on a summons pending future court proceedings in Bergen County Superior Court.

“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”