Paterson mourns teen killed by stray bullet

Paterson teen Robert Cuadra had plans to attend college, but his dreams were senselessly cut short after being fatally shot.

Robert Cuadra killed

Cuadra, 18, was shot and killed when a stray bullet hit him.

The honor student was helping his grandmother with groceries when he was shot Wednesday night in Paterson.

An incredible teen and student

Cuadra is being remembered as a sweet kid that despite the environment around him, he had a will to succeed and loved his community

The 18-year-old helped build homes in Paterson for low-income families, officials said. He participated in charity fundraising walks, collected food and clothes for needy families and fed homeless people during the holidays.

As an honor student, Cuadra took courses at Rutgers University and looked forward to attending Montclair State University on a scholarship.

Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh said he spoke with Cuadra’s mother hours after the shooting.

“He had such a promising future,” the mayor said. “This was a tragedy, truly a tragedy. We’re determined to bring the murderer or murderers to justice.”

Cuadra was a senior at Paterson’s HARP Academy, where officials said he embraced the school’s motto of “Service Above Self.”

“We all mourn the loss of this incredible young man with a tremendously bright future. Everyone loved Robert. There are no words,” said HARP Academy Principal Kelli A. White. “He will be missed.”

Paterson Schools Superintendent Eileen Shafer issued a statement detailing the community service work Cuadra performed as a teenager.

“Robert Cuadra was a dedicated honors student who looked forward to starting the next chapter of his life in college this fall,” Shafer said. “Robert cared for his family, and the reports that he was fatally shot while delivering groceries to his grandmother’s home speak to his character and add to the bitterness of his being taken away from us.”

Cuadra and his grandmother were outside her home on Godwin Avenue with her groceries at about 6:30 p.m. when gunfire erupted.

The teen saw his grandmother fall to the ground and he was struck by a bullet when he rushed over to her.

The grandmother was not hit by any of the gunfire, authorities said. Authorities found Cuadra lying on the sidewalk and he was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Paterson has endured its worst outbreak of violent crimes in more than 30 years. The city set homicide records in 2020 with 27 killings and again in 2021 with 29.

No arrests have been made in Robert Cuadra’s shooting and the investigation is ongoing.