Paterson Man Charged With Attempted Murder Months After Woman Wounded In Daytime Gunfire

Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 6:30 P.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

PATERSON, NJ.- A Paterson man has been arrested and charged in connection with a November 2025 daytime shooting that left a woman wounded, authorities announced this week.

     Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Department Officer-in-Charge Patrick Murray said that Naason Wimbush, 38, of Paterson, was taken into custody on March 2, 2026, following an investigation conducted by the Paterson Police Department’s Shooting Investigation Unit.

     Wimbush is charged with first-degree Attempted Murder, second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, second-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, second-degree Certain Persons Not to Possess a Weapon, and fourth-degree Criminal Mischief, according to prosecutors.

      Authorities said the charges stem from a shooting reported at approximately 11:06 a.m. on November 15, 2025, in the area of Piercy Street and Presidential Boulevard in Paterson.

     Responding officers from the Paterson Police Department arrived at the scene after receiving reports of gunfire and located a 36-year-old Paterson woman suffering from non-fatal gunshot wounds. Emergency medical personnel transported the victim by ambulance to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson, where she received treatment for her injuries.

     Investigators were able to identify and secure a potential crime scene in the surrounding area, and a months-long investigation followed.

     According to prosecutors, the investigation ultimately determined that Wimbush was responsible for the shooting.

     On March 2, 2026, Wimbush was located and arrested without incident by the Wayne Police Department in the area of Route 46 East and Park Lane in Wayne, New Jersey, authorities said.

He was subsequently charged in connection with the November shooting. After being processed on the charges, Wimbush was remanded to the custody of the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office.

     Under New Jersey law, first-degree attempted murder carries a potential sentence of 10 to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison, with 85 percent of the sentence required to be served before parole eligibility under the No Early Release Act, followed by five years of parole supervision.

The additional weapons-related charges carry significant penalties as well. Second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose each carry potential sentences of five to ten years in state prison, with 42 months required before parole eligibility. A conviction for second-degree, certain persons not to possess a weapon carries a sentence of five to ten years, with five years of mandatory parole ineligibility.

     The fourth-degree criminal mischief charge carries a maximum penalty of up to 18 months in New Jersey State Prison, prosecutors said.

     The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office filed a motion for pretrial detention against Wimbush on March 3, 2026. A hearing on that motion is scheduled to take place before Superior Court Judge Scott T. Rumana, J.S.C., on March 6, 2026, in Passaic County Superior Court.

     Authorities emphasized that criminal complaints are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

     The investigation into the shooting remains active and ongoing, officials said.

The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office is asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact its tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO, email tips@passaiccountynj. or contact the Paterson Police Department Shooting Investigation Unit at 973-321-1342.

Editor’s Note:

This report was written by Art Fletcher and is based on information released by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office and the Paterson Police Department. All charges are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Englebrook Independent News will update this story as additional information becomes available or as the case proceeds through the court system.