North Jersey
3 arrested in shooting death of innocent honor student in Paterson
Cuadra was an honor student at HARP Academy, who took college courses at Rutgers University through the district’s dual enrollment program.
Three teenagers have been charged for the shooting death of 18-year-old Robert Cuadra.
Jaquin Williams, 19, Kahaz D. Heron, 18, and Jahed Jones, 19, all from Paterson, were all arrested Thursday authorities announced.
Robert Cuadra shooting
All three defendants have been charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a handgun.
Police say 18-year-old Cuadra was an innocent victim who was struck by a stray bullet while carrying groceries to his grandmother’s home on Jan. 19.
Celebration of life
A celebration of his life was held last week at the library where he went to school.
Cuadra was an honor student at HARP Academy, who took college courses at Rutgers University through the district’s dual enrollment program.
He was planning on enrolling at Montclair State University on a full scholarship.
“He didn’t deserve a bullet to the head,” his mom Ivernis Santiago said. “He didn’t deserve that at all. He was a good kid.”
All three suspects are being held in Passaic County jail.
If convicted, they face a minimum of 30 years up to life on the murder charge alone.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information on the shooting death of Robert Cuadra to call the tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org or contact the Paterson Police Detective Bureau at 973-321-1120.