Robert Cuadra, 18, was found with an apparent gunshot wound.
Photo: GoFundMe / Courtesy
A New Jersey teen has died after being hit by a stray bullet. last Wednesday night while reportedly delivering groceries to her grandmother’s house.
Robert Block, 18, was found lying on a sidewalk off 130 Godwin Ave. in Paterson with an apparent gunshot wound around 6:30 p.m. local time, according to a statement joint Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police. Chief Ibrahim Baycora.
Cuadra was taken to Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson, where he was pronounced dead, according to the joint statement Thursday from Valdes and Baycora.
A sign commemorating Cuadra with countless messages and prayers has formed on Godwin Avenue, according to CBS New York.
One GoFundMe for Cuadra He alleges that the young man was bringing groceries inside for his grandmother when he was hit by the stray bullet.
María Delgado, a childhood friend of Cuadra’s mother, told CBS New York that Cuadra was “staying with her grandmother” at the time of her death.
Cuadra was an honors student at HARP Academy Y took classes at Rutgers University through the district’s dual enrollment program, according to a statement released Friday by Paterson Public Schools.
The young man was involved in a variety of activities, from his active membership in the Interact Club to participating in service projects such as walks against breast cancer and the March of Dimes, canned food and clothing drives, and various other charitable efforts.
“He wasn’t hanging out. He was at school, work, and his mother’s and grandmother’s home. Very good boy, very good boy,” Delgado told CBS New York.
Paterson Public Schools said Cuadra had been accepted to Montclair State University, where he was an Upward Board student and planned to attend school this fall. Cuadra earned a full college scholarship as a freshman through the Give Back Scholarship Program.
“Robert is remembered as a hard-working, educated, humble and intelligent young man. He had a cooperative and sincere spirit. Robert was always willing to help others,” the district said. “He truly embraced the HARP Academy motto of ‘Serve Above Self.’
Paterson Board of Education member Emanuel Capers called Wednesday’s incident “another senseless murder in the city of Paterson” in a Facebook post, later adding, “Enough is enough.”
“What a tragedy, my heart is heavy,” Capers wrote in the post. “My thoughts and prayers are with Cuadra’s family and friends.”
Paterson Public Schools Superintendent Eileen F. Shafer described Cuadra as “a dedicated honors student who looked forward to beginning the next chapter of his life in college this fall” in Friday’s statement.
“Robert cared about his family, and the reports that he was fatally shot while delivering groceries to his grandmother’s house speak to his character and add to the bitterness that he was taken from us,” Shafer said.
“We pray that Robert’s aunt, grandmother, mother and the rest of his family find comfort during this very difficult time,” she added. “May we all resolve to end the senseless violence that has taken so many good people like Robert.”
At the time of this publication, the GoFundMe for Cuadra he had surpassed his $10,000 goal with more than $20,000 in donations.
An investigation into the incident is underway, Valdes and Baycora confirmed in Thursday’s joint statement. Authorities have not released details about the suspected gunmen.
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eldiariony.com
Eddie is an Australian news reporter with over 9 years in the industry and has published on Forbes and tech crunch.