In the early evening of June 2, 2024, in Paterson, New Jersey, a violent encounter cut short the life of 44-year-old Twahee Howard. Reports of gunfire near the intersection of Chadwick Street and Weiss Street prompted a police response at approximately 8:57 p.m. By the time officers arrived at the scene, Howard had already been transported to Saint Joseph's University Medical Center by private vehicle, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, his injuries proved fatal, and he was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
The investigation that followed the shooting led authorities to identify two suspects in the killing of the Paterson man. Just over a week later, on June 10, investigators arrested 27-year-old Mathew Amaro and 26-year-old Tiffany Medina, both residents of Paterson. The arrests were made in their home city without any reported incident.
Surveillance footage from the area of the shooting was instrumental in identifying Amaro and Medina as the individuals allegedly involved in the homicide.
Following their apprehension, Mathew Amaro faced a string of serious charges, including first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. His charges also included several weapons offenses, namely unlawful possession of a handgun and possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose, as well as a third-degree charge for possession of a controlled dangerous substance. Tiffany Medina was charged with first-degree conspiracy to commit murder and third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance. Authorities announced that the state would seek to have both suspects held in pretrial detention as they awaited their initial court appearances.
