Update: Second Suspect Arrested 77 Miles Away After Paramus Mall Lockdown
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, The search for the second man involved in a terrifying gun sighting at Garden State Plaza has come to an end. Jamal Clark, a 21-year-old Newark resident, was apprehended nearly 80 miles away from the scene of the crime during a routine traffic stop.
The arrest follows a chaotic night on December 30, 2025, that left shoppers across North Jersey on edge as two of the state’s largest malls faced simultaneous firearm-related emergencies.
The Incident: What Happened at Garden State Plaza?
The drama began just after 9:00 p.m. on December 30. While many were finishing their post-holiday shopping, Paramus Police received a frantic report from mall security. A patron had spotted a man—later identified as Clark—displaying a handgun in his waistband before fleeing into a 2021 Hyundai Elantra.
Detective Michael Focarino reviewed surveillance footage which confirmed a chilling detail: there wasn’t just one armed man, but two.
-
Suspect #1: Charlie Williams (arrested shortly after the incident).
-
Suspect #2: Jamal Clark (fled the scene and remained at large for over a week).
A Night of Retail Terror
The Garden State Plaza sighting occurred on the exact same night that a gunshot was fired at the Willowbrook Mall in Wayne, NJ. While the two incidents were not officially linked, the proximity and timing led to massive police responses and mall evacuations that shook the Bergen and Passaic County communities.
The Arrest: Caught in Hamilton Township
Justice finally caught up with Clark on January 8, 2026. During what began as a routine traffic stop in Hamilton Township (Atlantic County), New Jersey State Police discovered Clark had an outstanding warrant out of Paramus.
Clark was immediately taken into custody and handed over to Detective Focarino. He has since been transported back to North Jersey, processed at Paramus Police Headquarters, and remanded to the Bergen County Jail.
Serious Charges Filed
Clark is facing significant prison time if convicted of these second-degree crimes:
-
Unlawful Possession of a Weapon
-
Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose
Case Summary: Garden State Plaza Investigation
| Suspect | Status | Charges |
| Charlie Williams | Arrested Dec 2025 | 2nd Degree Weapons Charges |
| Jamal Clark | Arrested Jan 8, 2026 | 2nd Degree Weapons Charges |
| Location of Arrest | Hamilton Township, NJ | 77 miles from Paramus |
| Investigating Agency | Paramus PD & NJ State Police | — |
Tell your story #TheRidgewoodblog , #Indpendentnews, #information, #advertise, #guestpost, #affiliatemarketing,#NorthJersey, #NJ , #News, #localnews, #bergencounty, #sponsoredpost, #SponsoredContent, #contentplacement , #linkplacement, Email: [email protected]
another black male. what a shock
just look at facebook and instagram and the pictures tell the story who is committing the crime (since the left wing libtard media wont)
It shocks me that a criminal would enter a gun free zone with a gun. Those CYA no gun signs really do work!