Man Convicted For The Killing Of Passaic Co. Street Vendor

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — A Paterson man has been convicted of murder after shooting a street vendor last year, according to the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office.

A jury found Jimmy Mercedes, 41, guilty of first-degree murder, unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and certain persons not to have weapons on Thursday morning.

On May 5, 2024, around 10:30 a.m., Paterson police responded to reports of a shooting near East 24th Street and Broadway. Authorities found Daryle Robinson, 62, of Paterson, suffering from two gunshot wounds. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died two days later.

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Mercedes turned himself in five days later after an investigation identified him as the shooting suspect. He was arrested and received the aforementioned charges.

“After everything my family has been through, I’m grateful that we were able to get justice for my dad. Nothing will ever bring him back or undo the pain we’ve felt, but today’s verdict is a step toward healing,” wrote Robinson’s daughter, Niomi, on social media following the conviction. “There’s some peace in knowing that the truth was heard, and that my dad’s life and his story mattered…I hope he can finally rest, knowing we never gave up on him.”

Mercedes will return to court on Oct. 28 for sentencing. He could face life in prison on the first-degree murder charge alone.