Jail Time For NJ Man Who Killed Bystander In Parking Lot Shooting

PATERSON, NJ - A Paterson man was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in state prison for his role in the fatal shooting of a Garfield man outside a nightclub in 2018, authorities said.

Ferreie Johnson, 28, was found guilty of second-degree reckless manslaughter following the conclusion of his trial on Oct. 13, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said. He was also found guilty of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and related offenses.

The sentence stems from a March 31, 2018 shooting outside the D'Classico nightclub in Paterson, Valdes said. Shortly before 2 a.m., Johnson became involved in an altercation with another group of individuals, which escalated in the parking lot. Johnson ultimately retrieved a gun from his vehicle and exchanged gun shots across the parking lot with the other group of individuals.

Parker Sams, 22, was shot at the scene, authorities said at the time; he was taken to St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center in Paterson where he died from his injuries.

According to evidence presented at trial, Sams was an innocent bystander who was struck and killed by a gunshot fired by Johnson during exchange, Valdes added.

Johnson must serve 85% of that sentence before he’s eligible for parole in accordance with the No Early Release Act; upon release from prison, he must also complete five years of parole supervision, Valdes said.

The sentence is the result of a motion for an extended term of imprisonment filed by the state, which was granted by Judge Ramirez, Valdes said.