In the summer of 2020, a burst of gunfire shattered the late-night quiet of a Paterson, New Jersey intersection, leaving a scene of chaos and tragedy. Among the victims was Unique Jones, a 22-year-old male from Paterson. The shooting, which occurred on July 7, 2020, at the corner of Carroll and Governor Streets, was one of the deadliest the city had seen in years.
When police, who were in the area and heard the shots, arrived at the scene around 11:04 p.m., they found multiple victims.
In total, seven men were shot. Jones, along with three other men—Al Malik Williams, 37; Nygier Barrett, 25; and Otis Smith, 37—succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced dead at St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center. Three other Paterson men, ages 19, 20, and 24, were also wounded in the barrage of bullets but ultimately survived.
The intersection where the shooting took place was known to be a troubled area with a history of drug and gun violence. In the immediate aftermath, authorities began an intense investigation into the mass shooting. Witnesses reported seeing a dark-colored SUV fleeing the scene shortly after the shots were fired.
Despite the severity of the incident and public statements from city officials condemning the violence, information regarding a motive or any potential suspects has not been publicly released. Authorities urged anyone with information to come forward to assist in the ongoing investigation. As of the latest available information, there have been no announced arrests in connection with the deaths of Unique Jones and the other three men who lost their lives that night.
