On May 27, 2020, a violent encounter outside St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center in Paterson, New Jersey, claimed the life of 20-year-old Bryan Olivo. Olivo, a male resident of Clifton, was with his friend, 20-year-old David Torres, when a black sedan approached them in the area of 73 Hospital Plaza at approximately 5:38 p.m.
Three men were in the vehicle: the driver, 22-year-old John Delacruz, and two passengers, 20-year-old Wilfredo Garcia and 42-year-old Modino Garcia.
Wilfredo and Modino Garcia exited the car and began to physically assault Olivo and Torres. The altercation escalated dramatically when the assailants opened fire, striking both Olivo and Torres. Immediately after the shooting, the Garcias got back into the sedan, and Delacruz drove them away from the scene.
Bryan Olivo succumbed to his gunshot wounds. David Torres, despite being wounded, managed to walk into the emergency room at the nearby hospital and survived his injuries. The motive for the attack was reportedly a dispute involving Wilfredo Garcia and the victims.
The investigation led to the arrest of John Delacruz on May 31, 2020. He was charged with murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and weapons offenses. Wilfredo Garcia and Modino Garcia were also charged with the same offenses but remained at large for a period. Modino Garcia was arrested on July 17, and Wilfredo Garcia, who had fled to Pennsylvania, was apprehended on September 5. All three men were subsequently detained pending the disposition of the charges against them.
