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A man suspected of shooting a former student at a Homecoming party two weeks ago was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and possession of an unlawful handgun, according to Passaic County Prosecutor James Avigliano.
The arrest took place in Rahway.
Louis Stackhouse, the 25 year-old man arrested, is from Jersey City and is not a student at William Paterson University. He is being held at the Passaic County Jail until his court hearing. Stackhouse reportedly has not answered any questions, as he has the right to do so until he speaks with a lawyer.
At the scene of the arrest were Passaic County detectives and prosecutors, as well as a WPU police officer. The arrest took place after a series of interviews with eye-witnesses.
Police said the shooting occurred during an altercation, but it is still unclear whether the victim and subject knew one another or not.
The victim, Zachary S. Muse Jr., 20, was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Paterson, where he was treated for an injury to his left leg. The former William Paterson student is from Elizabeth .
Stuart Goldstein, University spokesman, says that "information about the victim wasn't released until recently, due to the fact that it might interfere with the investigation."
According to Goldstein, the University did take security measures on the night of the Homecoming party. Armed police officers secured Wightman Gym, where the party took place, and attendees were admitted after going through metal detectors.
Students who attended were required to show their William Paterson identification cards when purchasing tickets. Three guests per student were allowed and guest tickets had to be purchased ahead of time. Guests had to be accompanied by a WPU student.
According to police, a fight between two guests---Stackhouse and Muse---broke out about 1:30 a.m. outside of the gym. The altercation ended with a gunshot fired by Muse, who apparently fled the scene.
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