Crime
42-Year-Old Rulsy Mata Fatally Shot During Armed Robbery While Playing Dominoes in Paterson
PATERSON, N.J. — A 42-year-old man identified as Rulsy Mata was shot and killed during a robbery while playing dominoes on a sidewalk in Paterson Sunday evening, according to law enforcement officials.
The fatal shooting occurred shortly after 6:30 p.m. on May 11, near the intersection of Rosa Parks Boulevard and Lafayette Street.
Mata was reportedly playing dominoes with two other men when an armed suspect approached them and opened fire during what authorities believe was a robbery attempt.
Paterson police officers responded swiftly to reports of gunfire and arrived to find Mata suffering from critical gunshot wounds.
He was transported to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
Mata’s death marks the seventh homicide in Paterson so far this year.
The city experienced a surge in gun violence over a 24-hour period surrounding this incident, with three separate shootings, including one involving a 16-year-old boy shot near Madison and Second avenues just before 11 p.m. the same night.
According to Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Officer-In-Charge Patrick Murray, no arrests have been made in connection with Mata’s killing or the subsequent teen shooting, and no suspect descriptions have been released at this time.
As of now, Paterson has recorded 18 shootings in 2025, down slightly from 25 at this time last year.
Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding the homicide to come forward. Tips can be submitted to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office tip line at 1-877-370-PCPO or by email at tips@passaiccountynj.org. The Paterson Police Detective Bureau can also be reached at 973-321-1120. All information will be kept confidential.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.