Samuel Sparks
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Department Officer-In- Charge
Isa Abbassi announce that based upon an investigation by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office
and the Paterson Police Department Shooting Investigation Unit, Samuel Sparks, 52 years-old,
from Paterson, New Jersey, was arrested on April 22, 2024, in connection to the shooting that took
place on April 15, 2024, in the area of Godwin Avenue and Carroll Street, Paterson, New Jersey.
Mr. Sparks is charged with Attempted Murder, first degree, Unlawful Possession of Weapon,
second degree, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, second degree, Unlawful
Possession of Weapon, first degree, and Certain Persons not to Possess a Weapon, second degree.
At approximately 10:46 p.m. on April 15, 2024, members of the Paterson Police Department were
dispatched to the area of Godwin Avenue and Carroll Street in Paterson, New Jersey in response
to a report of a shooting. Upon their arrival, members of the Paterson Police Department were
able to locate a potential crime scene. While on scene, officers were informed the victim, a 42-
year-old male from Newark, New Jersey arrived at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in a
private vehicle for treatment of non-fatal gunshot wounds.
The subsequent investigation revealed that Mr. Sparks was responsible for the shooting. On April
22, 2024, at approximately 11:00 a.m. Mr. Sparks surrendered himself to the Paterson Police
Department.
The crime of Attempted Murder, first degree, has a sentencing range of 10 to 20 years in prison
with a requirement to serve 85% of the sentence before parole eligibility. Possession of a Weapon
for an Unlawful Purpose, second degree, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, second degree,
both have a sentencing range of 5 to 10 years in prison with 42 months to be served before parole
eligibility. The crime of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, first degree, has a sentencing range of
10 to 20 years in prison with 5 years to be served before parole eligibility. The crime of Certain
Person not to Possess a Weapon, second degree, has a sentencing range of 5 to 10 years in prison
with 5 years to be served before parole eligibility.
The State will be filing a motion for pretrial detention that will be scheduled before a Superior
Court Judge. Criminal complaints are merely accusations. Despite these accusations, defendants
are 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 or contact
the Paterson Police Shooting Investigation Unit at 973-321-1342.
