Police Charge Bronx, New York Man & Paterson, New Jersey Man In January 19, 2025, Paterson Shooting
Sunday, February 1, 2026, 8:00 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
PATERSON, NJ.- Late last month, following a year-long investigation, a second suspect, a 31-year-old Bronx, New York, man wanted in connection with a shooting that occurred early last year in the City of Paterson, New Jersey, was apprehended late last month in New York City and has been extradited to New Jersey to face attempted murder and weapons charges with his 26-year-old Paterson, New Jersey co-defendant.
According to Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, and as previously reported, on January 19, 2025, just shortly before 4:30 a.m., members of the Paterson Police Department responded to a report of gunfire in the area of Madison Avenue and Ellison Street in the City of Paterson. Upon arrival, Responding Police Officers located a 23-year-old Paterson, New Jersey man, who refused medical attention after being grazed by gunfire. Police also located evidence of a shooting crime scene at the location.
During an ensuing investigation and based on witness accounts, ballistic evidence collected, and area video surveillance footage, Detectives of the Paterson Police Department’s Shooting Investigation Unit, in conjunction with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, were quickly able to identify Francisco Bello-Amaro, 31, of the Bronx, New York, and Ronald Rosario, 26, of Paterson, New Jersey, as the individuals responsible for the shooting incident.
On February 3, 2025, Rosario was taken into custody at the Paterson Police Department and formally charged with first-degree Attempted Murder; third-degree Hindering Apprehension; and fourth-degree Obstruction of Justice. Rosario was processed on the charges and, following a detention hearing, was released on strict monitoring conditions pending court proceedings in Passaic County Superior Court in Paterson, New Jersey.
Bello-Amaro was charged with first-degree Attempted Murder; third-degree Aggravated Assault; second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon; and second-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose. Bello-Amaro remained at large until January 22, 2026, when he was taken into custody by members of the U.S.Marshals Service in the Bronx, New York. On Friday, January 30, 2026, Bello-Armaro was extradited to the Paterson Police Department without incident and processed on the charges.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office has filed a motion with the court to detain Bello-Amaro pending trial.
If convicted at trial, both men could face up to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison.
“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.”
