Former Paterson Man Charged With The November 2023 Shooting Death Of A Paterson Man

Thursday, September 4, 2025, 4:10 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

PATERSON, NJ.- On Tuesday, following an investigation, a 38-year-old former Paterson, New Jersey, man was taken into custody and jailed after being returned from Florida to stand trial on charges in connection with fatally gunning down a 33-year-old man during the early morning hours of November 10, 2023, in the City of Paterson.

     According to Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, Joshua Perez, 38, formerly of Paterson, New Jersey, was formally charged with first-degree Murder; second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon; and second-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose. 

     Perez was processed on the charges and was remanded to the custody of the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office pending future court proceedings in Passaic County Superior Court in Paterson, New Jersey. The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office has filed a motion with the court to detain Perez pending trial.

According To Court Documents

     The charges stem from an investigation that began on November 10, 2023, when, shortly before 12:45 a.m., members of the Paterson Police Department responded to reports of gunfire in the area of Park Avenue and Straight Street in the Eastside neighborhood of Paterson, New Jersey. Upon arrival, Police Officers located a 33-year-old Paterson, New Jersey man, suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. The man was transported to Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center, where, despite life-saving efforts, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.

     During a nearly two-year investigation, Detectives of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Investigation Unit, in conjunction with the Paterson Police Department, were able to develop information linking Perez to the fatal shooting. Perez, who fled New Jersey after the shooting death, was later located in Florida and taken into custody. On Tuesday, September 2, 2025, Perez was formally extradited back to New Jersey.

     If convicted at trial, Perez faces a mandatory minimum of 30 years and up to life in New Jersey State Prison.

     The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office requests that anyone with additional information regarding this investigation contact the Prosecutor’s Office Tips Line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org. All calls and information will be kept confidential.

“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.”