The 4 Most Shocking Shooting Incidents That Rocked Garfield, NJ In Late 2025
The City of Garfield, New Jersey, has been grappling with a series of high-profile and violent incidents in late 2025, culminating in multiple arrests and ongoing investigations that have shaken the community's sense of security. The recent spike in serious crime, particularly gun violence, has forced the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office (BCPO) and the Garfield Police Department to dedicate significant resources to a complex web of cases spanning from neighborhood intersections to nearby municipalities. This comprehensive report, updated on December 23, 2025, details the most critical shooting events that have defined the latter half of the year, providing a clear picture of the charges, the suspects, and the law enforcement response.
The investigations reveal a troubling pattern of targeted violence and attempted murder charges, with several incidents occurring within a tight timeframe, demanding a robust response from both Bergen and Passaic County authorities. The focus remains on bringing all suspects to justice and addressing the underlying factors contributing to the recent surge in gun-related crime across the 07026 zip code and surrounding areas.
Timeline of Recent Gun Violence and Major Arrests in Garfield, NJ (2025)
The city of Garfield, a community in Bergen County, has been the epicenter of several major criminal investigations. The following list outlines the most significant shooting incidents and related violence that have occurred in the last few months of 2025, highlighting the complexity of the cases handled by Prosecutor Mark Musella’s office and the local police force.
- September 2, 2025: The Palisade Avenue Shootout
- Location: Intersection of Palisade Avenue and Somerset Street, Garfield, NJ.
- Incident: At approximately 9:07 a.m., two 20-year-old men from Garfield allegedly shot at each other in a public exchange of gunfire.
- Suspects: Mikhi Maddox Odum was arrested and charged with Attempted Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Murder, and several weapons offenses. The second suspect, identified as Ortiz, was initially at large, with detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office and Garfield Police Department actively attempting to locate and arrest him.
- Charges: Odum faced charges including Attempted Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose.
- December 19, 2025: Fatal Shooting of a Garfield Resident
- Victim: Milton Crespo III, a 33-year-old resident of Garfield, NJ.
- Location: The shooting occurred in nearby Paterson, NJ, but the victim was a Garfield resident.
- Investigation: The case was handled by the Paterson Police Department and the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office, investigating the homicide of Mr. Crespo III.
- December 2025: Shooting Near a Local Wawa
- Location: Near a Wawa convenience store in Garfield.
- Incident: A shooting incident led to an attempted murder charge.
- Suspect: An Elmwood Park man was arrested and charged with attempted murder in connection with the incident.
- Ongoing Investigation: Passaic County Incident
- Location: Believed to have occurred in Garfield.
- Incident: The Passaic County Prosecutor's Office is investigating a separate shooting incident that is believed to have taken place overnight in Garfield, highlighting the jurisdictional cooperation between Bergen and Passaic Counties on regional crime.
The Coordinated Law Enforcement Response: BCPO and Local Police
The sheer number and severity of these incidents have necessitated a highly coordinated effort between multiple law enforcement agencies. The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office (BCPO) Major Crimes Unit, under the direction of Prosecutor Mark Musella, has taken the lead on the most serious cases, specifically the brazen daytime shootout at the intersection of Palisade Avenue and Somerset Street.
The Garfield Police Department has been instrumental in the initial response and subsequent detective work, working closely with the BCPO to secure the scene, gather evidence, and execute arrests. This partnership is crucial for managing serious felony crimes like attempted murder and unlawful possession of a weapon, which carry significant state penalties.
The investigation into the September 2nd incident, which saw two men firing guns at a busy intersection, was particularly disturbing to local residents. The immediate and thorough response, which resulted in the arrest of Mikhi Maddox Odum, demonstrated the commitment of the authorities to quickly contain the threat and prevent further violence in the Bergen County area.
Furthermore, the fatal shooting of Garfield resident Milton Crespo III in Paterson required cooperation with the Paterson Police Department and the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office, underscoring that crime often crosses municipal and county lines in New Jersey.
Understanding the Broader Context of Garfield's Crime Profile
While the recent shootings are alarming, they must be viewed within the context of Garfield's overall crime profile. According to projections for 2025, the city's crime rate is expected to be higher than in previous years, although the overall crime rate in Garfield is historically lower than the national average.
The total projected cost of crime in Garfield for 2025 is estimated to be over $9 million, a burden felt by every resident and household. The statistics for the 07026 zip code highlight a significant number of property crimes, but the recent focus has shifted to violent crimes, including a notable number of assaults and the severe cases of attempted murder and homicide that have recently occurred.
Relevant crime entities and statistics for Garfield, NJ (2025 projections):
- Assaults: 98 reported incidents.
- Robbery: 129 reported incidents.
- Burglary: 102 reported incidents.
- Larceny/Theft: 124 reported incidents.
- Vehicle Theft: 137 reported incidents.
The involvement of weapons offenses in the recent shootings, such as the Unlawful Possession of a Weapon charge filed against Mikhi Maddox Odum, indicates a serious challenge with illegal firearms in the area. Law enforcement is actively working to curb the flow of these weapons to protect the public and reduce the risk of further violence at key locations like Palisade Avenue and Somerset Street.
The Impact on Community Safety and Future Outlook
The series of violent events has naturally raised concerns among Garfield residents about neighborhood safety. The brazen nature of the September 2nd shootout—occurring in the morning at a busy intersection—sent a clear message that such incidents pose a direct threat to public life. The swift action by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office and the Major Crimes Unit to announce the charges and arrests is a critical step in restoring public confidence.
The ongoing search for suspects, including the individual identified as Ortiz in the Palisade Avenue case, remains a high priority for the Garfield Police Department. The public is urged to remain vigilant and cooperate with authorities by providing any information related to these or other criminal investigations. This community-police partnership is vital for maintaining security and ensuring that justice is served for the victims and their families, including the late Milton Crespo III.
As 2025 concludes, the focus for Garfield, NJ, will be on addressing the root causes of this violence, enhancing police presence in high-risk areas, and continuing the meticulous work of the Bergen County and Passaic County Prosecutor’s Offices to close these complex cases. The commitment to prosecuting serious offenses like attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and weapons offenses is firm, signaling a zero-tolerance approach to gun violence in the community.
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