Cawuan Cromartie
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Department Officer-In-Charge Isa Abbassi announce that at approximately 6:30 p.m. on May 17, 2023, members of the
Paterson Police Department responded to the area of East 35th Street and 19th Avenue on a report
of shots fired. Upon arrival, members of the Paterson Police Department discovered a potential
crime scene in the area, however no victim(s) were located.
As members of Paterson Police Department arrived on scene, they observed several individuals
fleeing the area. One of the individuals, later identified as Cawuan Cromartie, a 20-year-old
Paterson resident, was apprehended in the area of East 39th Street and 19th Avenue in Paterson,
New Jersey, following a foot pursuit. Members of Paterson Police Department recovered a
loaded handgun that was discarded during the pursuit. Cawuan Cromartie is charged with
Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon; Second Degree Possession of a Weapon for
Unlawful Purpose Second; and Fourth Degree Obstructing the Administration of Law.
The sentencing exposure on Second Degree Unlawful Possession of Handgun is 5-10 years New
Jersey State Prison with a minimum of 42 months before parole eligibility pursuant to the Graves
Act; on Second Degree Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose it is also 5-10 years
New Jersey State Prison with a minimum of 42 months before parole eligibility pursuant to the
Graves Act; and on the Fourth Degree Obstruction it is 18 months New Jersey State Prison.
The State intends to file a motion for pretrial detention of Cawuan Cromartie that will be heard
by a Superior Court judge. A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this
accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a
reasonable doubt.
The investigation of the shooting remains 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 or contact
the Paterson Police Ceasefire Unit at 973-321-1342.
