2 Teens Shot 5, Including 4-Year-Old, In NJ: Prosecutor

PASSAIC, NJ — Both shooters have been identified and charged for their roles in injuring five people, including a 4-year-old, in a Passaic backyard, authorities said Sunday.

A 17-year-old was arrested Nov. 23 — two days after the shooting — the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office revealed. Additionally, Ernest Fuentes, who authorities charged last month, was arrested Saturday. Read more: Man Shot 4-Year-Old, 4 Others In Passaic Co: Prosecutor

Both were charged with five counts of attempted murder, five counts of aggravated assault, five counts of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Fuentes, 19, was also charged with endangering the welfare of a child, employing a juvenile in the commission of a crime and resisting arrest. The 17-year-old was charged with possession of a firearm by a minor.

Passaic police responded to Lafayette and Howe Avenues for a report of a shooting just before 1 a.m. Nov. 21. A 4-year-old child, 21-year-old Passaic woman, 25-year-old Newark woman and 29-year-old Newark man were still at the scene and taken to Saint Joseph's University Medical Center. The fifth victim — a 21-year-old Passaic man — declined medical attention, according to officials.

No deaths were reported.

Police arrested the 17-year-old Nov. 23. They were remanded pending further proceedings in the family court.

The prosecutor's office announced charges Nov. 30 against Fuentes but couldn't locate him. Passaic police found Fuentes just before 7 p.m. Saturday in the front passenger seat of a vehicle. He was arrested following a brief vehicle pursuit and foot chase, authorities said.

The state filed a motion for Fuentes's pretrial detention, which a Superior Court judge will hear.

Fuentes also fired a gun Jan. 1 in Passaic and was arrested four days later, according to the prosecutor's office. No injuries were reported. It wasn't immediately clear when he was released from jail.

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