Paterson homeless man charged with murder following alleged hammer attack
Investigators determined that Lopez allegedly struck the victim in the back of the head with a hammer. He was arrested without incident.
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A 32-year-old homeless man was charged with murder in connection with the death of another homeless man whose body was found inside a makeshift shelter in Paterson, authorities said.
According to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office and the Paterson Police Department, Jamie Lopez was arrested Feb. 28 in the killing of a 32-year-old homeless man discovered a day earlier near 140 Marshall St.
Police responded to the area on Feb. 27 at about 1:20 p.m. on a report of an unresponsive person. Officers found the victim inside a makeshift shelter with blunt force injuries to the back of the head.
He was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
Investigators determined that Lopez allegedly struck the victim in the back of the head with a hammer. He was arrested without incident.
Lopez is charged with first-degree murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon.
If convicted, Lopez faces 30 years to life in prison on the murder charge.
The weapons offenses carry potential sentences of up to five years and up to 18 months, respectively.
A motive behind the attack was not immediately clear.
