Two Men Arrested with Guns at Garden State Plaza Mall in Paramus, NJ

On December 30, 2025, a frightening scene unfolded at the Garden State Plaza mall in Paramus when two Newark men were arrested after allegedly bringing handguns inside the shopping center.   According to reports, mall security was alerted after someone saw one of the men remove a handgun from his waistband.  That triggered an immediate response, and security personnel began tracking the individuals, notifying law enforcement forthwith.

The suspects fled the area once they realized their presence began to draw attention.  Their attempt to escape did not last long.  Police later located and apprehended both individuals, and the two men now face serious second-degree weapons charges in Bergen County.   Those charges carry severe potential consequences, including significant prison exposure and mandatory sentencing.

Garden State Plaza Gun Incident

It started around 9:05 p.m., when officers in Paramus got word from security at Westfield Garden State Plaza about someone acting oddly, possibly armed, somewhere inside the mall.  A shopper later said they spotted a person in a ski mask yank a handgun from their pants while standing near stores.  Once seen, the figure moved quickly toward an exit.

When police started moving, Detective Michael Focarino checked camera clips from the mall.  Footage backed up what people at the scene said.  A man could be seen with a gun, either holding it or waving it around, inside the building prior to driving off in a 2021 Hyundai Elantra.  Authorities then focused on tracking down that car along with anyone connected.  Around dawn on December 31st, Charlie Williams was taken into custody because his vehicle and is clothes and physical appearance lined up with reports.

A quiet roadside checkpoint turned everything around that Tuesday morning when officers recognized the driver.  It was Jamal Clark, linked to the gun incident weeks earlier at Westfield Mall.  A quick records check revealed an open warrant.  The arrest followed without struggle once they confirmed his identity.

That evening made things worse for officers.  Right after another gunfire event popped up at Willowbrook Mall in Wayne, every department nearby started moving faster.  Since nerves were frayed and people felt less safe by the hour, cops pushed hard to track down those tied to what went down at Garden State Plaza.

Are Guns Allowed in New Jersey Malls? Weapons Policies Explained

Shopping centers across New Jersey usually ban guns inside their buildings.  Such rules often appear in written guidelines for visitors, shown on signs by entry doors, sometimes mentioned by guards watching the area.  At places such as Westfield Garden State Plaza, the act of bringing any kind of weapon is against policy, even if someone owns legal papers allowing them to carry one somewhere else.

It is against the law to bring a gun onto private land where signs say they are banned.  New Jersey enforces this through statute 2C:58-4.6, which backs up a property owner’s choice.  Signs posted visibly mean guns must stay away, no matter what.  A license to carry does not cancel out that rule.  The authority of the person who owns the place stands stronger than any permit.  Once rules go up in clear view, carrying a weapon there breaks state law.

When a person brings a gun onto property clearly marked as off-limits for firearms and stays despite warnings, things shift fast from rule-breaking to something more serious.  According to N.J.S.A. 2C:18-3, refusing to leave after being asked to go counts as defiant trespassing.  This charge stands on its own, even if weapon laws are also broken.  Consequences follow, apart from those tied to carrying the firearm.

Weapons Policies at Garden State Plaza, American Dream, Willowbrook & Other NJ Malls

Most big malls across New Jersey do not allow weapons.  Signs posted around the properties make those rules clear, backed by official guidelines and expected behaviors.  At Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus, guests cannot bring any kind of weapon inside, real or fake, according to their stated standards.  Across the state, large shopping areas follow similar patterns – keeping spaces safe for families means firm limits on what people can carry.

Just like others in busy areas, rules at the American Dream site near East Rutherford stay tight when it comes to weapons.  Home to rides, an indoor water playground, and more fun spots, carrying any kind of weapon inside isn’t allowed anywhere on the grounds.  Over at Willowbrook Mall in Wayne, things run much the same way; guns and similar items are banned by their stated visitor guidelines.

At several high-end malls and local shopping hubs, similar restrictions apply.  Weapons aren’t allowed at The Mall at Short Hills.. Over at Paramus Park, the rule stands just the same.  Places like these see heavy crowds every day.  Safety often depends on consistent expectations and clear behavior codes help keep things under control.

Cherry Hill Mall, located in South Jersey, bans weapon possession outright, only law enforcement or approved security staff are allowed.  Over at Bergen Town Center in Paramus, signs make clear: guns aren’t welcome anywhere on site.

Anyone with a New Jersey handgun permit still can’t walk into these malls armed.  If a mall puts up signs banning guns or adds the rule to its behavior policy, state rules stand behind property owners who say firearms are not allowed.

Carrying a gun inside a shopping center against posted signs might land someone with a permit into serious trouble.  State laws about weapons could come into play, based on how things unfold.  When security tells a visitor to exit due to the firearm and they stay put, another issue arises.  Defiant tresspassing can be added to the list of charges.  One act doesn’t cancel out the next; each stands alone under the law.  Prosecutors might move forward on both counts at once.

Finding yourself without a permit while holding a gun in a place that forbids such items often triggers several penalties at once.  One act can be divided into multiple violations, each rule broken as its own separate issue:  tresspassing, carrying without a permit, and other weapons-related charges.

Second-Degree Gun Charges for Garden State Plaza Arrest

One defendant, then another, was hit with two major weapons counts tied to the event.  Heavy penalties wait if things go badly, so knowing the details matters.  Our website walks through each offense, piece by piece: what builds the case, ways to fight it, where cases like this might land.

Starting off, one charge involves having a weapon meant for illegal use according to N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4  What matters most here is what someone planned to do with the gun.  The state needs to prove the person held it intending harm toward others or damage to things around them.  For deeper insight into how such accusations get backed up in court – or fought back against – there’s a complete breakdown available on our page:

Another count involves having a gun without proper permission, according to N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5  That law says carrying a handgun illegally counts as an offense if you lack a valid permit.  Since rules can be unclear, we’ve laid out what the state must prove, typical situations people face, along with ways lawyers might challenge such charges.

Prison time ranges from five to ten years.  In New Jersey, both acts count as second-degree crimes.  Not small matters, these sit just below first-degree charges in severity.  The courts handle them with firm attention.

Apart from that, these accusations activate the Graves Act, a law setting fixed jail terms for crimes involving guns.  Judges have little room to adjust penalties under this rule, plus release isn’t an option until most of the sentence is served before being paroled.  Information on our Graves Act page shows how those required sentences function, also why they matter so much in New Jersey firearm prosecutions.

Penalties for Illegal Gun Possession in New Jersey

Most times, carrying a handgun in New Jersey without a proper permit counts as a serious offense.  A conviction might lead to years behind bars and penalties follow strict legal lines.  Just being caught with the gun, whether fired or hidden away, could bring charges down fast and jail time looms large under these circumstances.

Worthy of note, New Jersey won’t accept gun permits from other states.  Just because you’re allowed to carry somewhere else doesn’t mean you can legally carry in New Jersey.  Crossing into the state with a firearm, even legally held back home, might land you in trouble fast.  Without approval directly from the state, having a handgun could lead to criminal penalties.

Curious about unlawful possession charges?  Our in-depth guide covers penalties, who might be exempt, along with defense options.  Check it out for the full picture on weapon possession laws.

N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4: Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in NJ

Holding a gun becomes legally significant if there is a reason to think it was meant for illegal use.  What matters most isn’t merely carrying it, but what might have been a person’s intent.  Seeing someone wave a firearm around in public could count as proof of harmful plans.  If a weapon appears as part of a show of force or to intimidate others into coercive action, officials often link that behavior to wrongful aims.  Often enough, this accusation comes alongside other weapons charges, such as illegal possession.

Start by checking out the full details on what counts as having a weapon meant for illegal use.  This page covers every angle of how such cases take shape.  Go to the full unlawful possession page for complete details on the law and penalties related to gun penalties.

How the Graves Act Affects Gun Charges in New Jersey

A person found guilty of certain serious gun crimes usually has to spend a minimum of forty-two months behind bars before they can even be considered for release.  Most times, judges are not allowed to shorten this waiting period themselves.

Sometimes a Graves Act waiver can happen.  Still, it does not come by default.  A judge alone cannot hand one out.  The prosecutor must agree to it.  Whether it gets approved often ties back to how serious the past record is.  What led to the current charge matters too.  Talks between defense lawyers and state prosecutors play a big role.  Each case moves differently based on these decisions.

For more information, go to our Graves Act page to see how it applies to your situation.

Defense Strategies for NJ Gun Possession Charges

It takes more than just finding someone near a gun to make a case.  What matters is whether they were aware of it being there.  Control plays a key role and proof needs to show they could manage or handle the weapon.  Without clear signs of knowledge, the charge falls apart.  Awareness plus control over the item form the core of a prosecutor’s case.

Figuring out who did what might not always be clear when cameras are involved.  Footage sometimes lacks detail, skips key moments, or shows things in a way that leaves room for different views.  People watching an event unfold might get details wrong, particularly if everything happened quickly.  Uncertainty can cast doubt on whether they were even holding the weapon at all.  When more than one suspect is involved, things tend to get trickier.  Figuring out who really had hold of the gun might turn into a debate, especially if nobody was caught holding it.

Even if gun crimes usually keep people out of diversion programs, a few might still get into Pre-Trial Intervention – especially those charged for the first time.  Who qualifies comes down to past records, exact accusations, plus whether prosecutors agree.  To learn more about how PTI functions in firearm cases, check the complete breakdown on our dedicated PTI page.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gun Charges at NJ Malls

What happens if you’re caught with a gun at a mall in New Jersey?

You will likely face second-degree charges for unlawful possession of a weapon and potentially possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, both carrying 5-10 years in prison.

Can you carry a gun in a mall in NJ with an out-of-state permit?

No. New Jersey does not recognize gun permits from other states. Carrying a firearm in NJ without a valid NJ permit is a second-degree crime.

What is brandishing a weapon in New Jersey?

Brandishing means displaying or showing a weapon in a manner that could cause alarm. It can elevate simple possession to possession for an unlawful purpose charges.

How long do you go to jail for illegal gun possession in NJ?

Second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun carries 5-10 years in prison. The Graves Act requires a mandatory minimum of 42 months before parole eligibility.

Can charges be dropped for a gun arrest at a mall?

It depends on the circumstances. An experienced attorney may challenge the evidence, identification, or search procedures that could lead to reduced or dismissed charges.

Bergen County Weapons Defense Lawyer: Why Experience Matters

Getting charged with a weapon offense in New Jersey changes everything.  Weapons charges carry life-altering consequences, including prison time and a permanent criminal record that can block your access to rent property, obtain credit, get a specialized license, and other consequences.

An experienced attorney can evaluate whether your constitutional rights were violated during the investigation.  They can scrutinize how a search was conducted or if any constitutional rights were denied, providing you with a strong case for an acquittal.

In Bergen County, legal matters are heard in the Superior Court in Hackensack.  Knowing the rhythm of that courthouse helps more than you might think.  When lawyers appear there often for gun-related charges, they pick up on patterns others miss; small habits shape big outcomes. Experience means seeing which direction a judge leans before the first motion is filed.  Some arguments work better in that building just because of how things have unfolded year after year.

Getting a lawyer on board immediately makes a difference.  Those initial hours often decide bail conditions and shape how the case moves forward.  A criminal defense attorney stepping in fast guards legal protections, influences key points early, and starts forming a strategy straight away.

We offer confidential consultations to anyone facing weapons charges or under investigation for a gun-related offense in Bergen County. Whether you’re dealing with charges in Paramus, Hackensack, Fort Lee, Englewood, Teaneck, Ridgewood, Fair Lawn, Bergenfield, Mahwah, or any other community in Bergen County and Northern New Jersey, we’re ready to provide clear advice, dedicated representation, and aggressive defense against serious firearms accusations. Call (201)-330-4979 today or contact us  online for a free, confidential consultation.