NJ Man Extradited From Dominican Republic 2 Years After Teen's Slaying

CLIFTON, NJ — The accused killer of a 19-year-old Passaic man has been extradited to New Jersey to face a first-degree murder charge, more than two years after the fatal shooting.

Authorities in the Dominican Republic arrested 24-year-old Yoniel Santana-Gomez, said officials in Passaic County. Santana-Gomez is accused of shooting Ariel Henriquez early on the morning of Dec. 11, 2022 in Clifton. He returned to New Jersey on Tuesday

According to the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office, Henriquez arrived at St. Joseph's University Medical Center shortly before 4 a.m. that day with a gunshot wound. Police learned that he was shot near the intersection of Kulick Street and Central Avenue in Clifton, and launched their investigation.

Officials identified Santana-Gomez as the shooter, and charged him with first-degree murder and second-degree weapons offenses back in March of 2023.

Officials did not say why it took so long to extradite Santana-Gomez back to New Jersey. Dominican officials ordered his extradition back in November, according to news site Hoy Dia.

Authorities said the investigation is still ongoing, and they may release more information as it progresses.