Nazerah Bugg was 14 when she was killed by a stray bullet in Paterson, New Jersey, in the late evening of September 20, 2014. An aspiring basketball player who had just started freshman year at International High School, she was walking with friends near a chicken restaurant on Clinton Street when gunfire erupted during an ongoing neighborhood dispute. A bullet pierced her heart and lung; another teenager with her was shot but survived. The shooting was described as a gang-related drive-by in which at least 15 rounds from different caliber weapons were fired and Nazerah was not the intended target.

The investigation produced an indictment of ten individuals on charges including murder and attempted murder. Among those charged were Jeavonte Dennis, then 16, and Nyje Johnson. The case was moved from Passaic County to Bergen County because one of Nazerah’s relatives worked for the Passaic County court system. Following trial, Jeavonte Dennis was convicted of first-degree murder and Nyje Johnson was convicted of first-degree aggravated manslaughter; both received lengthy prison sentences and were also convicted on conspiracy and weapons charges. Two other defendants accepted plea deals. A portion of a Paterson street was later renamed in her honor.

If anyone has information about that night or remembers what happened on Clinton Street, please share what you know.