Police Charge Man In January 31st Paterson Shooting Investigation

Monday, February 9, 2026, 8:30 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

PATERSON, NJ.- On Friday, following an investigation, a 25-year-old Paterson, New Jersey, man was taken into custody and jailed after being charged in connection with opening fire on two individuals during the late evening hours of January 31, 2026, in Totowa, New Jersey.

     According to Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, Fabian Perez, 25, of Paterson, New Jersey, was formally charged on Friday with first-degree Attempted Murder; second-degree Aggravated Assault; second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon; second-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose; and third-degree Criminal Mischief. 

     Perez was processed on the charges and detained pending future court proceedings in Passaic County Superior Court in Paterson, New Jersey.

     According to the charging information filed in the criminal complaint, on Sunday, January 31, 2026, just shortly after 11:45 p.m., members of the New Jersey State Police responded to a 911 Emergency Call reporting gunfire in the area of Route 80 West and Union Boulevard in Totowa. Upon arrival, State Troopers located an 18-year-old Teaneck, New Jersey, woman, and a 36-year-old Paterson, New Jersey, man who reported they were fired upon, but were not struck by gunfire. Troopers were able to locate a shooting crime scene at the location.

     During the ensuing investigation, Detectives were able to identify Perez as the individual responsible for the shooting. On Friday, February 6, 2026, just shortly before 6:00 a.m., Perez was taken into custody without incident by the New Jersey State Police, the Paterson Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service in the area of Ellison Street and Rosa Parks Boulevard in the City of Paterson.

     If convicted at trial, Perez faces a mandatory minimum of ten years and up to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison.

     The investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org or the Paterson Police Department’s Shooting Investigation Unit at (973) 321-1342. 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.”