Clifton, NJ — Authorities have arrested a 61-year-old Clifton man in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred near the intersection of Lakeview Avenue and Merselis Avenue on October 20, 2024. Angel Pacheco has been charged with first-degree murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, according to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office.
The incident unfolded shortly before midnight, when police were called to the scene after reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, officers discovered Robert Rogers, a 51-year-old Elmwood Park resident, suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. Rogers was transported to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators determined that the shooting occurred following a verbal altercation between Pacheco and Rogers while stopped at a red light. Pacheco, driving a gray Ford F-150 pickup truck, and Rogers, in a Jeep, reportedly exchanged words before Pacheco brandished a firearm and shot Rogers.
Pacheco was arrested without incident and is being held pending a detention hearing. If convicted, he faces a potential sentence of 30 years to life in prison for the murder charge, with additional penalties for the weapons-related offenses. The investigation remains ongoing.