Warwick man killed, Goshen woman shot in Paterson, N.J.

By Nathan Mayberg
PATERSON, N.J. — A Warwick man was killed and a Goshen woman was wounded after they were shot inside their car in Paterson, N.J., on the morning of April 30.

Dennis Gillespie, 43, was pronounced dead at St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center after suffering a fatal gunshot wound. His companion, an unidentified 30-year-old Goshen female, survived a non-life threatening gunshot wound. She was treated and released from St. Joseph's Medical Center.

Paterson police later arrested an unidentified 17-year-old suspect from Paterson after an intense manhunt, Paterson Police Director Jerry Speziale said.

The shooting occurred at about 9:45 a.m. in the area of Fulton Street and Mercer Street, according to police.

Speziale said the two were shot in a high-crime neighborhood known for heroin distribution and gun violence.

Speziale declined to state what evidence led police to the suspect or identify any evidence found at the scene. He did not say if a gun was found.

"We've been taking steps to go after the demand as well as the supply of heroin," Speziale said.

The city's police commissioner said the city has seen an influx of people from New York going into Paterson for heroin.

New initiatives are being taken by the city's police department to address the demand and go after the supply, he said.

"We don't want people from outside of Patterson coming into the area for any illegal purpose," Speziale said.

He said that violence had been dropping in the city but "anytime you lose a life, it doesn't matter."

The juvenile is facing murder, attempted murder and weapons charges. He is being held at the Juvenile Detention Center in Newark.

It is not clear if he will be charged as a juvenile or as an adult. A message left with the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office was not immediately returned.