On a tragic Labor Day weekend in Paterson, New Jersey, the life of 33-year-old Nykeema Kersey was cut short in a violent shooting on September 2, 2018. The incident, which unfolded on 12th Avenue, also claimed the life of 48-year-old Daryl Tann and left two others wounded. Kersey was pronounced dead at the scene. The four victims were inside a BMW when the shooting occurred.
After the shots were fired, the car drove off, eventually stopping on East 18th Street and Broadway.
The investigation into the shooting pointed to a domestic dispute as the motive. Authorities identified 31-year-old Jonathan Hernandez as the suspect. The conflict reportedly stemmed from an ongoing issue with his former girlfriend, Latoya Lesane, who was critically injured in the attack. Earlier in the day, Hernandez had allegedly damaged Lesane's vehicle with a baseball bat and had a physical altercation with her and the three other victims outside the Elks Lodge on Ellison Street.
Approximately an hour after the initial confrontation, Hernandez allegedly approached the parked BMW on 12th Avenue and opened fire on the occupants. In the aftermath, authorities charged Hernandez with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree attempted murder, and multiple weapons-related offenses. He was considered armed and dangerous, and a manhunt was initiated. The Passaic County Prosecutor's Office and the Paterson Police Detective Bureau urged the public to come forward with any information regarding his whereabouts.
