Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Department Officer-In-Charge Patrick Murray announce that a 17-year-old male from Paterson has been charged in
connection to the May 11, 2025 homicide which occurred in the area of Rosa Parks Boulevard
and Lafayette Street in Paterson. The juvenile is charged with acts of juvenile delinquency that
would constitute the crimes of Felony Murder, first degree; Murder, first degree; Robbery, first
degree; and Conspiracy to Commit Robbery, second degree, if he were an adult.
On May 11, 2025, at approximately 6:32 p.m., members of the Paterson Police Department
responded to the area of Rosa Parks Boulevard and Lafayette Street in Paterson, New Jersey on a
report of shots fired. When officers arrived on scene, they discovered the victim, Rulsy Mata
Sosa, a 42-year-old male from Paterson, New Jersey. The victim sustained a gunshot wound and
was transported to Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center where he was pronounced
deceased. The investigation revealed three individuals approached the victim and attempted to
take his gold chain. One of the individuals discharged a firearm, striking the victim. The juvenile
was one of the individuals involved. He was taken into custody on June 6, 2025, without incident
and is currently detained pending further court proceedings.
A juvenile delinquency complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the juvenile
is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The matter has
been referred to the Passaic County Family Court, Juvenile Part, for further proceedings.
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, submit
an anonymous tip via our website at https://pcponj.opsnetwork.org/tips, or contact the Paterson
Police Detective Bureau at 973-321-1120.
