Yoniel Santana-Gomez
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Clifton Police Chief Thomas Rinaldi
announce that based upon an investigation by the Clifton Police Department, in conjunction with
the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Yoniel Santana-Gomez, a 24-year-old male from
Clifton, has been charged in connection to the December 11, 2022 homicide which occurred in
the area of Kulick Street and Central Avenue in Clifton. Yoniel Santana-Gomez is charged with
Murder, first degree; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, second degree; and Possession of a
Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, second degree.
On December 11, 2022, at approximately 3:47 a.m., Ariel Henriquez, a 19-year-old male from
the City of Passaic, was brought to Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center with a gunshot
wound. Mr. Henriquez was pronounced deceased a short time later. Officers received
information that the shooting occurred in the area of Kulick Street and Central Avenue in
Clifton, New Jersey. When officers went to the location, they discovered evidence of a crime
scene. The subsequent investigation resulted in the identification of Yoniel Santana-Gomez as
the shooter.
Yoniel Santana-Gomez was arrested in the Dominican Republic and extradited to New Jersey on
January 28, 2025, without incident. The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office will file a motion for
pre-trial detention which will be heard by a Superior Court Judge at a date and time to be
determined by the Court.
Murder has a sentencing range from a minimum of 30 years up to life imprisonment; the crimes
of Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose (Second Degree) and Unlawful Possession
of a Handgun (Second Degree) each have a sentencing range of 5 to 10 years in prison.
Criminal complaints are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and
until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This investigation remains active and ongoing. More information will be released when 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
