Joseph Tann Jr., a 37-year-old Black / African American male, was fatally shot on August 31, 2016, in Paterson, New Jersey. The incident occurred near the corner of Summer and Pearl streets. At the time of the shooting, Tann was with his friend, Tyrus Odom-Holly, who was also injured but survived the attack. Odom-Holly later recounted hearing gunfire and then seeing Tann on the ground.
The investigation into the homicide revealed that a single gunman on foot was responsible for the
shooting. Tann's death was the third homicide in Paterson in a span of just five days, contributing to a growing concern over a spike in violence within the city. In response to the increase in homicides, Paterson's mayor at the time, Joey Torres, announced a $15,000 reward for information that would lead to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the recent killings, including Tann's. The reward was funded by an anonymous donor.
Despite the offer of a reward and the efforts of the Paterson Police Department, no immediate arrests were made in connection with Joseph Tann's murder. Authorities investigated whether his death was connected to the other recent shootings in the area. It remains unclear if any suspects were ever identified or apprehended in the case.
