Man Released From Jail Shot 4-Year-Old, 4 Others In Passaic Co: Prosecutor

PASSAIC, NJ — Ernest Fuentes faced charges after firing a gun in January, according to authorities. Now, law enforcement is looking for him after determining he shot five people, including a 4-year-old, at a Nov. 21 gathering in Passaic.

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

But nearly a year later, Passaic police found a backyard gathering in which five people sustained non-fatal injuries. 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.

Police determined that two gunmen opened fire at the party and identified Fuentes as one of the shooters. Authorities have not publicly identified the other shooter.

The prosecutor's office asked the public to view the above photo of Fuentes in an attempt to locate him. They asked anyone who sees him to contact Det. Raymond Rodriguez at 973-365-3939.

The public shouldn't approach Fuentes if they see him, the prosecutor's office said.

The prosecutor's office did not list specific charges for the Nov. 21 incident. Fuentes was charged Jan. 5 with second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon and second-degree possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose. If convicted, each crime carries a 5-10 year prison sentence, with a minimum of 42 months before parole eligibility.

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