ARREST MADE IN CONNECTION WITH JUNE 14th SHOOTING
" Paterson Man Arrested & Charged In Connection With A Shooting That Had Taken Place On June 14th In Paterson, New Jersey."
June 16, 2021 By Art Fletcher Reporting For: Englebrook Independent News,
PATERSON, NJ.- On Tuesday, June 15, 2021, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes and Paterson Police Chief Ibrahim Baycora, announced that based on an investigation by The Paterson Police Department, in conjunction with The Passaic County Prosecutor's Office, Lemel Cooks, 34, of Paterson, New Jersey, was arrested in relation to a shooting investigation that took place on June 14, 2021, in the area of 20th Avenue and Chestnut Street in Paterson, New Jersey.
Mr. Cooks is charged with Two Counts of First Degree Murder; Two Counts of Second Degree Aggravated Assault; Four Counts of Second Degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose; One Count of Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun; One Count of Second Degree Certain Persons Not to Have Weapons; One Count of Third Degree Eluding Law Enforcement, and One Count of Fourth Degree Criminal Mischief.
On June 14, 2021, at approximately 9:50 p.m. members of The Paterson Police Department were patrolling in the area of 20th Avenue and Chestnut Street in Paterson, New Jersey when they heard gunshots being fired from a nearby location. They immediately responded to the location of the gunshots and located evidence of a crime scene and a 59-year-old male Paterson resident who sustained non-life threatening gunshot wound. The victim was transported to Saint Joseph's Medical Center for treatment.
Based on the investigation it was determined that Mr. Cooks had fired multiple gunshots in the direction of the 59-year-old male Paterson resident and a 43-year-old Paterson resident. The 43-year-old male was not struck by gunfire. After the initial shooting, Lemel Cooks approached a nearby vehicle by a 32-year-old female Paterson resident and a 23-year-old female Ridgewood, New Jersey resident, and fired shots at the vehicle, neither occupant was struck.
Members of The Paterson Police Department determined that a Green Honda Minivan was involved in the shooting. Officers quickly located the Minivan and attempted to initiate a motor vehicle stop. After a brief motor vehicle pursuit, the driver of the Minivan, Lemel Cooks, pulled over in the area of Straight Street and Morton Street, where he was arrested.
The State has filed has filed a motion for pretrial detention which will be heard in State Superior Court.
" The Rules Of The Court Require Us To Include A Statement, Which States: The Charges Are Merely Accusations And The Defendant And Or Defendants Are Presumed Innocent Unless And Until Proven Guilty Beyond A Reasonable Doubt."
FILED UNDER JUNE 16, 2021: LAW, PASSAIC: