In the early morning hours of a Sunday in September 2019, tragedy struck in Paterson, New Jersey, forever altering the lives of one family. Rajahn Alston, a male resident of the city, was shot and killed in a violent encounter that also left another man wounded. The incident unfolded around 4 a.m. in the 300 block of 12th Avenue, where police responded to reports of gunfire.
Upon arrival, officers found both Alston and a 35-year-old man suffering from gunshot wounds.
Emergency responders administered CPR to Alston, who had been shot in the back, before rushing him to St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center. Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead a little over half an hour later. The second victim was reported to be in stable condition. There were conflicting reports regarding Alston's age at the time of his death, with some sources stating he was 26 years old, while his obituary and other reports indicated he was 36. A lifelong resident of Paterson, Alston was a father to five children and was remembered by loved ones for his loving, caring, and kind nature.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office and the Paterson Police Department launched an investigation into the homicide. Authorities appealed to the public for any information that could help identify those responsible for Alston's death. As of late 2025, there have been no publicly announced arrests or identification of any suspects in connection with the murder of Rajahn Alston. The case remains an open and ongoing investigation, leaving his family and community still waiting for answers and for justice to be served.
