Paterson police officer indicted for discharging weapon outside Main Street store
By Jonathan Greene
Published: October 6, 2016
A city police officer was indicted on Thursday morning for discharging his weapon while off-duty outside of a Main Street store injuring two men, according to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office.
Dante L. Gordon, 26-year-old, is charged with second-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, fourth-degree aggravated assault by pointing a gun at another, fourth-degree aggravated assault by recklessly causing bodily injury with a deadly weapon, and third-degree terroristic threat.
Gordon was off-duty outside of 262 Main Street in downtown Paterson at around 1:20 a.m. on February 25, 2016. He allegedly pointed a handgun at the direction of Wanaque man Travis Mann, 35.
Gordon discharged the weapon once. A second man, John Smith, 37, of Paterson, was in the vicinity of the discharge. Both victims were injured when fragments and debris from the discharge struck them, authorities said.
Police officers are required to immediately report incidents when their weapon is discharged. Gordon did not report the weapon discharge to police until the next morning.
Gordon joined the police force in July 2014. He was suspended without pay following the shooting. He could face 18 years in state prison if convicted on the charges, authorities said.
Gordon’s bail was set at $100,000 without 10-percent option. He posted bail and was released with an electronic monitoring bracelet. His arraignment is scheduled for October 17, 2016.