Paterson Detectives Seize Three Guns In Neighborhood Where Woman Was Shot Dead Hours Earlier

That makes 28 seized by the department just this month, during a time when three people were killed and 17 wounded by gunfire in less than two weeks.

Detective Sgt. Richard LaTrecchia was on a COVID emergency order compliance detail with Detectives Anthony Castronova, Luis Roca, Mustafa Dombayci and Mohamed Bashir when they responded to a call of a man with a gun in the area of 12th Avenue and Straight Street shortly before 6:30 p.m. Monday.

As soon as they got there, Bashir spotted the suspect, 22-year-old Jordany Candelario-Batista, Public Safety Director Jerry Speziale said.

Candelario-Batista reached for his waistband and tried to run, but Bashir grabbed him, Speziale said.

Candelario-Batista, who the director said was carrying a .22-caliber revolver, was immediately arrested.

The detectives also recovered two semi-automatic handguns – on a ..22-caliber and the other a 9mm – both of which Speziale said had high-capacity magazines.

Batista remained held in the Passaic County Jail pending a first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court on various weapons charges.

Meanwhile, police were sending the guns to the New Jersey State Police lab to determine whether they may have been used in crimes.

Just after midnight Monday, a 23-year-old Paterson woman was killed and a 20-year-old man wounded, Speziale noted.

SEE: Paterson Woman, 23, Shot, Killed

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