Ten suspects face criminal charges in Bergen County NJ for their alleged involvement in the shooting death of a Paterson teenager in September 2014.

The tragic shooting occurred on September 20, 2014. According to Bergen County authorities, the suspects were all connected to the murder of the 14-year-old victim as she walked near her residence.

Law enforcement does not believe that the victim was targeted by the suspects.

All 10 defendants have entered not guilty pleas in the case. They have been charged with different criminal offenses, including hindering apprehension, attempted murder, and murder.

Now the suspects will be headed to trial in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack, NJ. The suspects’ defense attorneys recently got grand jury transcripts, so the criminal court proceedings can now move on to the next stage.

Although the homicide was committed in Paterson, New Jersey, which is located in Passaic County, the trial will be held in Bergen County because a relative of the victim works in the Passaic County criminal court.

One suspect in the case faces murder charges because he allegedly pulled the trigger. Several other suspects have been charged with attempted murder.

If the suspect who allegedly pulled the trigger on the handgun is ultimately convicted on first degree murder charges, he could receive a life sentence behind bars. Additionally, the minimum mandatory term of incarceration for first degree murder is 30 years in NJ State Prison.

All of the suspects will have to return to Bergen County Superior Court on April 18 for a pre-trial hearing.

To learn more about this case, view the NJ.com article, “10 Charged in Slaying of 14-Year-Old Inch Toward Trial.”