The bloodletting that began at the start of August continued on Tuesday night with the shooting of two people at the intersection of Summer and Pearl Streets.
Police director Jerry Speziale said two city men were in the corner of Summer and Pearl Streets at about 11:56 p.m. when a unidentified gunman ran up to them and began firing rounds.
Both men were rushed to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center. Joseph Tann, 37, died from a gunshot wound to the head at the emergency room at 12:25 a.m. on Wednesday, but the other victim, Tyrus Odom, 24, survived.
Odom suffered a gunshot wound to the right shoulder, said authorities.
This is the city’s 14th shooting this month. 20-year-old Genico Robinson was killed outside of 88 North Main Street on Saturday. A 32-year-old woman suffered a gunshot wound to the hand at Sandy Court.
And on Sunday two men were wounded on Carroll Street between Harrison and Governor Streets. One of the victims, Kasiem McCaskill, 22, later died from his injuries, according to police.
Police officers have said they are hamstrung due to cuts in overtime budget and reduced number of cops on the streets. For example, police had to seek mutual aid from neighboring towns on Wednesday night, when responding to the shooting.
Haledon sent police officers to the scene. Speziale said the city has to look at its crime reduction strategies, but noted a boost in the number of police officers would help greatly in reducing quality-of-life crimes that lead to bigger incidents.
More cops means more gun recoveries and drug busts that have been driving street violence. However, the director noted, that’s not the panacea for stopping gun violence that has flared up every weekend.
“If someone has malice in their mind and heart and they are going out with the intention to kill someone or shoot someone, you can have a million police officers, if they are not on that exact corner, you are not going to stop it,” said Speziale.
Anyone with information about this incident is requested to contact the Paterson Police Department Detective Bureau at 973-321-1120.
Email: [email protected]
This report was updated on Wednesday, August 31st, 2016 at 12:40 p.m.