On the evening of December 2, 2021, Jasmin Wel was sitting in her car outside her home on East 24th Street in Paterson, New Jersey, when her life was violently taken. Ms. Wel, a 25-year-old female, was struck by gunfire at approximately 8:18 p.m. When police responded to reports of a shooting, they found her suffering from gunshot wounds. She was rushed to Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center, but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The investigation into the homicide was
conducted by the Paterson Police Department and the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office. In 2022, authorities made an arrest, charging Kristian Gonzalez of Lyndhurst with the murder. However, the case was far from over, as Mr. Gonzalez was later acquitted of all charges.
Investigators continued to pursue leads, and their work eventually identified two different men as the individuals responsible for Ms. Wel’s death. Jefersson Gonzalez, 25, and Elvis DeJesus, 29, both of Paterson, were arrested and charged with the killing.
The case against the two men proceeded to a jury trial. During the proceedings, prosecutors presented testimony from Paterson police detectives, investigators with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, and experts from the New Jersey State Police Office of Forensic Sciences and the New Jersey Medical Examiner’s Office. After deliberating for approximately three days, the Passaic County jury reached its verdict in October 2026.
Both Jefersson Gonzalez and Elvis DeJesus were found guilty of first-degree murder, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and fourth-degree tampering with evidence. As of October 2026, the two men stood convicted for the murder of Jasmin Wel. Their sentencing was scheduled for January 4.
