On a summer evening in Paterson, New Jersey, the life of 37-year-old Otis A. Oskeeno Smith was tragically cut short. On July 7, 2020, gunfire erupted at the intersection of Carroll and Governor Streets, a corner known for its troubles with drugs and violence. Smith was caught in the barrage of bullets and sustained fatal injuries. He was a male resident of Paterson.
The shooting that claimed Smith's life was a chaotic and violent event that resulted in a total of seven people being shot.
Alongside Smith, three other men lost their lives: Al Malik Williams, who was also 37, 22-year-old Unique Jones, and 25-year-old Nygier Barrett. Three other men, aged 19, 20, and 24, were wounded in the attack but survived. Responding police officers, who were in the vicinity and heard the gunshots, rushed to the scene to find the multiple victims.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, details about the perpetrators were scarce. Witnesses reported seeing a dark-colored SUV fleeing the scene shortly after the shots were fired. Authorities immediately launched an investigation into the deadly assault, one of the most severe incidents of gun violence the city had seen in years. The Passaic County Prosecutor's Office and the Paterson Police Department urged the public to come forward with any information that could lead to the identification and capture of those responsible.
Despite the public appeals for information and the ongoing investigation, there have been no subsequent announcements regarding any arrests made in connection with the mass shooting that resulted in the death of Otis A. Oskeeno Smith and three other men. The case remains an open and active investigation, leaving a community to mourn its losses and await justice for the lives taken on that violent July night. The motive behind the shooting has not been publicly disclosed by law enforcement officials.
