Juan Martinez, 39, was shot and killed on the afternoon of May 1, 2017, near the corner of Madison and Essex Streets in Paterson’s 5th Ward. Witnesses reported a brief street dispute around 4:45 p.m. that escalated into gunfire; Martinez was found collapsed with multiple gunshot wounds, taken to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center, and died during emergency surgery that day.

Martinez was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, and lived in Paterson with family. Relatives held visitation at a local funeral home and buried him at Cedar Lawn Cemetery. Friends remembered him as a rapper who spoke about peace, and a street memorial was painted in his honor; online memorial pages also appeared.

Police said several people had been seen in the area as shots rang out. Investigators arrested 30-year-old city firefighter Kaheem Hunt on charges including murder, conspiracy and weapons offenses, alleging he drove a gray Honda to the scene with two passengers and served as the getaway driver. Hunt was released on electronic monitoring and suspended from the fire department. Authorities later arrested 27-year-old Keith Hunt on first-degree murder, conspiracy and weapons charges and said he had been wanted since the night of the shooting.

Does anyone who knew Juan or saw activity near Madison and Essex Streets that afternoon have information to share?