An 18-year-old Paterson man viciously beaten on Auburn Street has died at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center. Suspect who is accused of beating him to death had his charges upgraded to first-degree murder, according to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office.

Nicolas Reyes died on August 28. He had been in critical condition after being admitted to the hospital the previous day.

Tyheem T. Jones

Police responded to report of an assault in progress on Auburn Street and Godwin Avenue at around 4 a.m. on August 27. When they arrived, police saw the suspect Tyheem T. Jones, 37, of Hawthorne, pacing back and forth in the middle of the street while breathing heavily and sweating profusely, authorities said.

Jones was looking in the direction of a pair of sneakers by a motor vehicle, authorities said. Police approached the vehicle and found Reyes lying on the ground with a large gash on the right side of his head.

Authorities said Jones allegedly attacked Reyes, repeatedly punching, kicking him, and pistol whipping him with a handgun.

Reyes was unconscious and taken to Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center for treatment. Jones was arrested at the scene without an incident.

Jones was previously charged with attempted murder, but after Reyes’ death authorities upgraded the charges to murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, unlawful possession of a weapon, and certain persons not to have weapons.

Jones could face a maximum of life in prison if convicted on the charges.

Prosecutors will file a motion for pretrial detention to keep Jones in jail until the charges are resolved.