Homeless Man Beaten To Death With Hammer, NJ Police Say

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — A 32-year-old New Jersey man was arrested and charged in the killing of a man with a hammer, police said.

Jamie Lopez was charged with first degree murder. Both Lopez and the victim were homeless, police say.

On Friday, around 1:30 p.m., Paterson police found a dead homeless man in a “makeshift shelter” in the area of 140 Marshall Street.

Authorities said the man had “blunt force injuries” to the back of the head.

Further investigation led police to believe that Lopez had beaten the man in the head with a hammer, authorities said.

Lopez was arrested a day later without incident. Along with first-degree murder, he is charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

If convicted, Lopez could spend the rest of his life in prison.

Authorities said the investigation into the slaying is ongoing.