Detective's Shooting Leads To Charges For 3 North Jersey Residents: AG

PATERSON, NJ — Two men face attempted murder charges after officials say they collaborated to attack two New Jersey State Police detectives in unmarked cars, injuring one, during an investigation in Paterson this March.

A grand jury has returned a nine-count indictment charging the two men, and also one woman accused of providing false information to officials, said Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin on Tuesday.

Paterson residents Jocquise Timmons, 28; Tajshmer Johnson, 30; and Queenasia McFarlane, 30 face charges in connection with the shooting March 2, said Platkin's office.

Officials accused Timmons of firing several gunshots at two State Police detectives who were in unmarked vehicles, just before 1 a.m. that Thursday. The bullets went through both vehicles, and struck one of the detectives in the leg, said Platkin.

Johnson is accused of driving the car Timmons was in, and McFarlane is accused of providing false information to police, said officials. Timmons also is accused of fleeing the state to avoid being caught.

Officials said that the two detectives were in unmarked vehicles, investigating an attempted break-in reported on East 26th Street several hours before. They were following a vehicle suspected of being involved in the break-in, said the AG's office.

"Timmons allegedly exited a second suspect vehicle, hid behind parked cars, and opened fire on the undercover NJSP vehicles, striking the victim," said officials. "Johnson was allegedly driving the vehicle that the suspected shooter stepped out of before firing the shots."

The shooting happened in the area of East 26th Street and 9th Avenue, Platkin added.

The detective's name was not released. Platkin's office said he was transported to the hospital for surgery.

The grand jury indicted Timmons and Johnson on two counts of first-degree attempted murder and two counts of second-degree aggravated assault, said Platkin. Timmons also faces weapons charges, all second-degree: possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon by a convicted person, officials added.

McFarlane was charged with third-degree hindering apprehension or prosecution, said officials.

“This incident quickly escalated from a call about a suspected attempted break-in to a life-or-death situation for these detectives, serving as a reminder that members of law enforcement are always facing great risks,” said Platkin. “We are all grateful this ambush did not end as the two suspects intended — with the deaths of members of our New Jersey State Police."

Officers arrested Timmons in South Carolina on the day after the shooting (March 3). Johnson was arrested on July 20, Platkin said.

"The suspected shooter fled the state to avoid facing the consequences," Platkin continued. "But state borders did not enable him to escape from justice.”

McFarlane is accused of providing false information to police during questioning to hinder Johnson's arrest, said officials.

“This surprise attack put the lives of police detectives in jeopardy,” said Derek Nececkas, Interim Director of the Division of Criminal Justice. “We fully intend to hold not only the suspected gunman but also those who assisted in the commission of this crime and who obstructed our investigation accountable and this indictment brings us closer to that objective.”