In the early evening of February 1, 2022, a sense of unease settled over a neighborhood in Paterson, New Jersey. On East 19th Street, 43-year-old Juan Soto was inside his car when he was approached by two individuals. An exchange of words followed, a prelude to the violence that would shatter the evening calm. One of the individuals, later identified as Jae'Wuan Abrams, then 18, allegedly opened fire, fatally wounding Soto. Despite an attempt to get away, Soto collapsed on the street.
The suspects fled the scene, leaving behind a community in shock.
Responding to a report of a shooting, Paterson Police arrived at the scene around 6:02 p.m. to find Juan Soto lying on the ground with apparent gunshot wounds. He was rushed to Saint Joseph's University Medical Center, but his injuries proved to be too severe, and he was pronounced dead. The incident marked the third homicide in the city of Paterson for that year.
The investigation into the death of Juan Soto moved swiftly. Surveillance footage captured the moments leading up to the fatal encounter, providing crucial evidence for law enforcement. Within days, on February 9, 2022, authorities arrested two suspects in connection with the murder. Jae'Wuan Abrams and a 17-year-old juvenile, both residents of Paterson, were taken into custody without incident at their respective homes.
Both Abrams and the juvenile were charged with first-degree murder, possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a handgun. If convicted, they could face the possibility of life in prison. Following their arrests, Abrams was held at the Passaic County Jail, while the juvenile was detained at the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center in Newark. The Passaic County Prosecutor's Office filed motions for the pre-trial detention of both individuals as the legal process against them commenced.
