Shooting Near 13-Year-Old's Birthday Party Kills 1, Injures 3 in NJ

Gunfire erupted as guests were about to sing 'Happy Birthday' in Paterson, sending partygoers scrambling for cover.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 5:24pm

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An extreme close-up of a single spent bullet casing on the ground, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the violence that erupted near a child's birthday celebration.The aftermath of a shooting near a child's birthday party exposes the harsh realities of gun violence in this New Jersey community.Paterson Today

One person was killed and three others, including a young teen, were wounded in a shooting near a 13-year-old girl's birthday party in Paterson, New Jersey on Saturday evening. The violence started around 6:30 p.m. as guests were about to sing 'Happy Birthday' in the backyard, with witnesses reporting automatic gunfire that left victims sprawled in the street.

Why it matters

Gun violence near a children's party highlights the ongoing challenges Paterson faces with crime and public safety, despite efforts by local officials to improve the situation through measures like security cameras. The incident has shaken the community and raised concerns about the need for more comprehensive solutions to address the root causes of violence.

The details

According to witnesses, the shooting started as party-goers were about to sing 'Happy Birthday' for the 13-year-old girl. Automatic gunfire broke out near the intersection of East 29th Street and 10th Avenue, leaving one person dead and three others injured, including a young teen. Partygoers initially thought the sounds were fireworks until they heard sirens and saw victims on the ground, some next to a bicycle.

  • The shooting occurred around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2026.

The players

Paterson City Councilman Luis Velez

A local official who said the area is a 'hotspot' for violence, but claimed steps have been taken to reduce crime, including installing security cameras.

Unidentified 13-year-old birthday girl

The young girl whose birthday party was disrupted by the shooting, who said it was 'scary to witness' the violence during what was supposed to be a joyful celebration.

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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.”

— Unidentified 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.”

— Paterson City Councilman Luis Velez

What’s next

Authorities are investigating the shooting and have not yet released details on the victims or suspects. The local community is calling for increased safety measures and efforts to address the root causes of violence in the area.

The takeaway

This tragic incident near a child's birthday party underscores the persistent challenges Paterson faces with gun violence, despite efforts by officials to improve public safety. It highlights the need for a comprehensive, community-based approach to tackle the complex social and economic factors driving crime in the city.