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Arrest Made in January 31, 2026 Shooting in Totowa

Posted Mon, Feb 9, 2026, From Passaic County Prosecutor's Office
Fabian Perez
Fabian Perez

Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and New Jersey State Police Acting Superintendent Lieutenant Colonel David Sierotowicz announce that based upon an investigation by the New Jersey State Police, Fabian Perez, 25 years-old from Paterson, New Jersey, was charged in connection with the January 31, 2026, shooting in the area of Route 80 West and Union Boulevard, Totowa, New Jersey. Mr. Perez was charged with Attempted Murder, first degree, Aggravated Assault, second degree, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, second degree, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful purpose, second degree, and Criminal Mischief, third degree.

At approximately 11:52 p.m. on January 31, 2026, members of the New Jersey State Police were dispatched to the area of Route 80 West and Union Boulevard on a report of a shooting. Police located an 18-year-old female victim from Teaneck, New Jersey, and a 36-year-old male victim from Paterson, New Jersey, who were not struck by gunfire. Police were able to locate a potential crime scene in the area.

The subsequent investigation revealed that Mr. Perez was responsible for the shooting. On February 6, 2026, at approximately 5:51 a.m. Mr. Perez was arrested, without incident, by the New Jersey State Police, the Paterson Police Department, and the U.S. Marshal’s Service in the area of Ellison Street and Rosa Parks Boulevard without incident.

The sentencing exposure on First Degree Attempted Murder is 10-20 years in New Jersey State Prison with 85% of that term to be served before parole eligibility, on Second Degree Aggravated Assault is 5-10 years in New Jersey State Prison with 85% of that term to be served before parole eligibility; on Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with 42 months to be served before parole eligibility; on Second Degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with 42 months to be served before parole eligibility; and Third Criminal Mischief it is 3-5 years New Jersey State Prison.

The State will file a motion for pretrial detention against Mr. Perez, which he will be heard by a Superior Court Judge. Criminal complaints are merely accusations. Despite these accusations, a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

These investigations remain active and ongoing. More information will be released once it becomes available.

The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org, submit an anonymous tip via our website at https://pcponj.opsnetwork.org/tips
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