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.
Crime
Noemi Hernandez, Mother of Four Murdered By Her Husband Hector Luvianos Two Days Before Christmas
BATAVIA, Ill. — A devastating domestic homicide has left a family and community in mourning just days before Christmas.
Noemi Hernandez, a devoted mother of four, was fatally attacked in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 23, in what prosecutors allege was a violent act committed by her husband.
The incident occurred at an apartment building in the 100 block of Church Street in Batavia.
According to court records and police reports, at approximately 4:37 a.m., Batavia police were dispatched after a man contacted emergency dispatchers and stated that he had killed his wife.
Responding officers located the man outside the apartment building and took him into custody without incident.
When officers entered the apartment, they found Hernandez suffering from severe, life-threatening injuries.
First responders immediately attempted life-saving measures; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hector B. Luvianos, 37, who was transported to the Batavia Police Department for questioning.
With assistance from the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force, investigators determined the incident was domestic-related and involved only the two individuals. Police emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
On Dec. 24, 2025, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Batavia Police Chief Eric Blowers announced that Luvianos has been formally charged with first-degree murder, a Class M felony under Illinois law.
He appeared in court the same day for a pretrial detention hearing, after which a judge ordered him held in the Kane County Jail while the case proceeds.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the official cause and manner of Hernandez’s death.
In the wake of the tragedy, Hernandez’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and related expenses.
In the fundraiser, the family described Noemi as “the heart of her family,” noting that she worked tirelessly, loved deeply, and always placed her children first. Her sudden death, they wrote, has left the family emotionally devastated and financially unprepared.
As an immigrant family with limited resources and no life insurance, they now face the burden of funeral and cremation costs, legal fees, and other unexpected expenses, all while supporting four children grieving the loss of their mother.
The family is asking for community support to allow them to lay Noemi to rest with dignity and focus on healing rather than financial hardship.
The investigation remains ongoing.