Jihad Abdullah
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Department Officer-In-Charge Patrick Murray announce that based upon an investigation by the Paterson Police
Department, in conjunction with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Jihad Abdullah, a 21-
year-old male from Paterson, has been charged in connection to the March 22, 2025, homicide
which occurred in the area of 12th Avenue and East 24th Street in Paterson. Jihad Abdullah is
charged with the crimes of Murder, first degree; Conspiracy to Commit Murder, first degree;
Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, second degree; and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful
Purpose, second degree.
On March 22, 2025, at approximately 5:05 p.m., members of the Paterson Police Department
responded to the area of 12th Avenue and East 24th Street in Paterson, New Jersey on a report of
shots fired. When officers arrived on scene, they discovered the victim, Jah’Zyer Montgomery, a
21-year-old male from Garfield, New Jersey. The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds and
was transported to Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center where he was pronounced
deceased. The subsequent investigation resulted in the identification of Jihad Abdullah as one of
the individuals involved in the shooting.
Jihad Abdullah was taken into custody on April 23, 2025, without incident. The Passaic County
Prosecutor’s Office has filed 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; Conspiracy
to Commit Murder has a sentencing range between 10 and 20 years in prison, and 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 or contact
the Paterson Police Detective Bureau at 973-321-1120.
