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Francisco Bello-Amaro
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Ronald Rosario
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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
Shooting Investigation Unit, Francisco Bello-Amaro, 31 years-old from the Bronx, New York, and
Ronald Rosario, 26 years-old from Paterson, New Jersey, were charged in connection with the
January 19, 2025, shooting in the area of Madison Avenue and Ellison Street in Paterson, New
Jersey. Mr. Amaro was charged Attempted Murder, first degree, Aggravated Assault, third degree,
Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, second degree, and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful
purpose, second degree. Mr. Rosario is charged with Attempted Murder, first degree, Hindering
Apprehension, third degree, and Obstruction, fourth degree.
At approximately 4:20 a.m. on January 19, 2025, members of the Paterson Police Department were
dispatched to the area of Madison Avenue and Ellison Street on a report of a shooting. Police
located a 23-year-old male victim from Paterson, New Jersey, who refused medical attention.
Police were able to locate a potential crime scene in the area.
The subsequent investigation revealed that Mr. Rosario and Mr. Bello-Amaro were responsible for
the shooting. On February 3, 2025, Mr. Rosario was arrested, without incident, at the Paterson
Police Department, Paterson, New Jersey. On January 22, 2026, Mr. Bello Amaro was arrested by
the U.S. Marshal’s Service in the Bronx, New York without incident. On January 30, 2026, Mr.
Bello-Amaro, was extradited to the Paterson, Police Department without incident.
The sentencing exposure on First Degree Attempted Murder is 10-20 years in New Jersey State
Prison with 85% of that term to be served before parole eligibility, on Third Degree Aggravated
Assault and Third Degree Hindering Apprehension it is 3-5 years New Jersey State Prison; on
Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with 42
months to be served before parole eligibility; on Second Degree Possession of a Weapon for an
Unlawful Purpose it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with 42 months to be served before
parole eligibility; and on is Fourth Degree Obstruction it is up to 18 months in New Jersey State
Prison.
On February 4, 2025, the State filed for detention on Mr. Rosario. On February 7, 2025, Superior
Court Judge, Judge Rumana, released Mr. Rosario on pre-trial monitoring, Level III. The State
will file a motion for pretrial detention against Mr. Bello-Amaro, which he will be heard by a
Superior Court Judge. Criminal complaints are merely accusations. Despite these accusations, a
defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
These investigations remain active and ongoing. More information will be released once 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 Shooting Investigation Unit at 973-321-1342.
