Patrick Jerry Gelin, 22, was arrested in Raleigh, North Carolina, on September 25 in connection with the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Newark resident Ishmael Muhammad in June. The arrest came two days after Muhammad would have turned 20. Members of the U.S. Marshals Service took Gelin into custody; he is being held as a fugitive wanted on a homicide matter out of Essex County, New Jersey.
RLS Media, citing arrest records, reported that Gelin faces a homicide-related charge in the case. The outlet reported that Muhammad was shot in Newark on June 20 and died during surgery at about 2 a.m. Another person was shot and survived.
What Happens After an Out-of-State Arrest
North Carolina law says a person arrested upon a Governor’s warrant under Article 37 must be brought before a judge and informed of the surrender demand, the charge and the right to counsel before being delivered to the demanding state’s duly authorized agent, according to North Carolina General Statutes, Article 37. The statute does not establish whether that process has occurred in Gelin’s case.
Family and Remembrance
RLS Media reported that Muhammad’s birthday was September 23, two days before Gelin’s arrest. In an interview with the outlet, Muhammad’s mother said the family had spent the months since his death grieving and waiting for accountability. She also said doctors at University Hospital in Newark tried to save him.
The outlet reported that Muhammad graduated from Newark Street Academy and earned certifications in business, OSHA 30, food safety and historic preservation. It also said he mentored and tutored others and resold sneakers. Loved ones remembered him as generous and motivated; he was known by nicknames including “King Ish.”
What Remains Unconfirmed
The precise circumstances surrounding the shooting and what led to the encounter have not been independently confirmed by RLS Media, and those details remain unresolved in the public record. Gelin is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
