In the early morning hours of a late November day, the life of a young man from Paterson, New Jersey, was tragically cut short. Nineteen-year-old Lamonte Proctor was fatally shot on November 28, 2015. The incident occurred on North 3rd Street, where Proctor resided. Responding to a report of a shooting at approximately 2:10 a.m., Paterson police discovered Proctor and an injured woman outside the residence.
Both victims were transported to a local hospital, but Proctor succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival.
The investigation into the shooting quickly identified a suspect. Authorities began a search for 24-year-old Terrell Johnson, also known by the nickname 'Rell,' in connection with the homicide. Police believed Johnson shot Proctor multiple times with a revolver in front of the victim's home. Following the incident, law enforcement issued a public appeal for information on Johnson's whereabouts, describing him as being 5'9' tall, weighing 174 pounds, with a medium complexion and a birthmark below his right eye. At the time, authorities suspected he might attempt to flee to Virginia.
In the days following the shooting, Terrell Johnson was formally charged with homicide and weapons offenses. Police Director Jerry Speziale publicly urged Johnson to surrender, emphasizing the determination of the Paterson detectives to bring him to justice. The weapon used in the shooting had not been recovered at the time the charges were announced. The motive for the shooting remained under investigation.
