Paterson: 19-year-old charged with murder in killing of Prospect Park man
By Jonathan Greene
Published: November 10, 2019
A Paterson man has been arrested and charged with murder and weapons offenses for his alleged role in the killing of a Prospect Park man.
Malachi Oji, 19-year-old, turned himself in to police on Friday afternoon. Police charged him with first-degree murder, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon.
Oji’s charges spring from the November 4, 2019 shooting on North 1st Street and Haledon Avenue in Paterson.
At around 1:01 p.m., police responded to report of a shooting. 20-year-old Niyam Deloatch of Prospect Park was found at the scene with apparent gunshot wounds. He was rushed to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center for treatment, but later died from his injuries.
Detectives determined Oji was driving his vehicle on Haledon Avenue. Two other men were inside. When they saw Deloatch, the three men began to approach him on foot. One of the men brandished a handgun, police said.
One of the three men refused to participate and left the scene on foot, police said. Oji and the second man approached Deloatch. The second man fired at Deloatch fatally injuring him. Both men fled the scene in Oji’s vehicle, authorities said.
Prosecutors have filed a motion for the pretrial detention of Oji.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Paterson Detective Bureau at 973-321-1120.