TL;DR: A 28-year-old Paterson man has been charged with murder after a 27-year-old man was shot on Oct. 21 and later died. The suspect was arrested three days later and faces 30 years to life in prison if convicted.
A 28-year-old Paterson man has been arrested and charged with murder in the shooting death of another Paterson man last week, authorities announced on Sunday, Oct. 25. Edwin Betancur was taken into custody without incident on Saturday, three days after police said he shot 27-year-old Joshua Fernandez.
The shooting happened near Butler and Sparrow streets in Paterson at around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21, according to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office. Fernandez was taken by car to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.
Betancur is charged with first-degree murder, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. The charges are allegations, and Betancur is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
What investigators have said so far
Authorities announced the arrest on Sunday, but they did not say what led investigators to identify Betancur as the suspect, nor did they describe a motive for the shooting. Prosecutors also have not released details about the weapon allegedly used or about any witnesses who may have come forward.
That limited public detail is common in the early days after a murder arrest. Investigators often hold back specifics while they interview witnesses, review surveillance footage and wait for forensic results, and prosecutors may release more information at a first court appearance.
Charges and custody
In addition to first-degree murder, Betancur faces two weapons charges: unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. If convicted of first-degree murder in New Jersey, he faces 30 years to life in prison, according to the prosecutor’s office account of the case.
Betancur was remanded to the Bergen County jail, according to jail records cited in the report. No bail had been set, and no lawyer was listed as his representative at the time of the announcement.
What happens next in the case
A murder case in New Jersey typically moves from arrest and initial court proceedings to a grand jury presentation, where prosecutors seek an indictment. The defense then has the chance to challenge the evidence, and the case may proceed to trial or be resolved through a plea agreement.
For now, the key unanswered questions are the motive and the chain of evidence that led to the arrest. Family and friends of Fernandez, meanwhile, are left with a death that came suddenly on an ordinary weekday afternoon in their own neighbourhood.
A neighbourhood shooting, a community left waiting
Shootings that happen in daylight on residential streets tend to shake a neighbourhood in a particular way: neighbours hear about them quickly, rumours spread, and people look for answers before the official record catches up. In this case, the arrest three days later at least gives the community a named suspect and a formal charge to follow.
Police have not said whether they are looking for anyone else in connection with the shooting. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office or local police, as investigators continue to build the case.
Featured image: representative scene photo, not a photo of the people or the exact location in this case. Image source: Toms River / police scene photo
Sources: NorthJersey.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was charged in the Paterson shooting?
Edwin Betancur, 28, of Paterson, was charged with first-degree murder, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
Who was the victim?
Joshua Fernandez, 27, of Paterson. He was shot near Butler and Sparrow streets on Oct. 21 and later died at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center.
When did the shooting happen?
At around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, according to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office.
When was the suspect arrested?
Betancur was taken into custody without incident on Saturday, Oct. 24, three days after the shooting.
What sentence could he face if convicted?
First-degree murder in New Jersey carries 30 years to life in prison if he is convicted.
Has a motive been released?
No. Authorities did not say what led to the shooting or what evidence led them to Betancur.
Is Betancur in custody?
Yes. He was remanded to the Bergen County jail, and no bail had been set at the time of the announcement.
