Shooting Interrupts 13-Year-Old's Birthday Party in Paterson, 1 Dead, 3 Injured

Gunfire erupted near the child's backyard celebration, sending partygoers ducking for cover.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 3:18am

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An extreme close-up of a spent shell casing on the ground, captured in stark, dramatic lighting that conveys the sudden and unsettling nature of the incident.The aftermath of a shooting that interrupted a child's birthday party, exposing the harsh realities of gun violence in this New Jersey community.Paterson Today

A shooting near a 13-year-old's birthday party in Paterson, New Jersey left one person dead and three others injured on Saturday evening. The violence erupted around 6:30 p.m. near the intersection of East 29th Street and 10th Avenue, interrupting the child's backyard celebration as partygoers heard the sound of rapid gunfire and were forced to take cover.

Why it matters

Gun violence in Paterson, a city that has struggled with high crime rates, has become an ongoing concern for local officials and residents. This incident at a child's birthday party highlights the urgent need for improved public safety measures and community cooperation to address the root causes of such tragedies.

The details

According to authorities, the shooting occurred as the 13-year-old girl was about to celebrate her birthday with friends and family. When the sound of gunfire erupted nearby, the partygoers, including young children, were forced to take shelter. One person was found dead at the scene, while three others were injured and transported to local hospitals for treatment.

  • The shooting occurred around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2026.
  • The 13-year-old girl was about to celebrate her birthday party when the violence erupted.

The players

13-year-old birthday girl

The young girl whose birthday party was interrupted by the nearby shooting incident.

Luis Velez

A local city councilman who says Paterson police are working to reduce crime in the area, but that the community needs to cooperate with law enforcement to address the ongoing issues.

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What they’re saying

“Just hearing it - it was scary to witness, to hear. Especially on my birthday. Like a time I'm trying to play with my friends, get together.”

— 13-year-old birthday girl

“Paterson Police is doing their job as I know, they're doing a great job to reduce crime, but one again we, the police, nobody, not even the news media has a crystal ball to say this is going to happen now. Some people see corners getting built up, they see activities and they're afraid to come out and say something, but our police department is trained to keep it confidential and approach to bring the quality of life in this area.”

— Luis Velez, City Councilman

What’s next

Paterson police are continuing their investigation into the shooting and are urging anyone with information to come forward. The city council is also exploring additional measures to improve public safety and community engagement in the area.

The takeaway

This tragic incident at a child's birthday party underscores the ongoing challenges Paterson faces in addressing gun violence and creating a safer environment for residents. While officials are taking steps to improve public safety, greater community cooperation and a comprehensive approach to addressing the root causes of crime are needed to prevent such senseless acts of violence.