City police arrested a 17-year-old city boy in yesterday morning’s shooting that left a New York man dead and a woman wounded inside a vehicle at the intersection of Fulton and Mercer Streets.
The suspect has been charged with the murder of Warwick, NY man Dennis Gillespie, 43, who was shot and killed at about 9:47 a.m. on Wednesday. He was inside an old model silver Honda Civic in the corner of Fulton and Mercer Streets with a 30-year-old Goshen, NY woman, who was wounded in the shooting.
City detectives Ralph Fermin, Kelvin Matos, sergeant Dean Barone, and Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office detectives Paul Wefing, and sergeant Marco Aliano identified the teenager as the shooter in the incident, said detective captain Heriberto Rodriguez.
A man hunt ensued with more police officers — including officers from the U.S. Marshals Service — joining in on the effort. Rodriguez said the manhunt lasted several hours and spanned many locations until at about 12:40 a.m. the 17-year-old was located at the intersection of Summer and Morton Streets. A felony stop was commenced and the teenager was arrested without an incident, said the captain.
The teen was charged with murder of Gillespie, attempted murder of 30-year-old woman, and various weapon offenses, said Rodriguez. He is currently being held at the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center in Newark, said police.
Police director Jerry Speziale would not say whether police are looking out for a second suspect. Area residents reported there were at least two young men who were spotted fleeing the area towards Carroll and Governor Streets moments after the car was sprayed with bullets.
Gillespie was dead when police responded to the incident. The woman did not sustain life threatening injuries. She was transported to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center for treatment.
Speziale praised city police officers as “tireless workers” who do not quit until a case is solved. He also lauded Rodriguez, who recently garnered negative press for snatching a photographer’s camera after a verbal spat, describing him as a “nationally renowned investigator.”
An initial court appearance for the teenager is scheduled for Friday, May 1st, 2015 at 10 a.m. before Passaic County Superior Court judge Greta Gooden Brown.
“The message should ring loud and clear, if you dare to take a life, commit a violent crime or use a gun in our city we will hunt you down and we will bring you to face justice,” said Speziale. “You will not evade our detectives and departments tireless efforts in pursuit of justice.”
Police said the investigation is on going and anyone with information is being asked to call 973-321-1120, 973-523-TIPS or text information via PatersonPD.com.