2 charged in Passaic nightclub shooting that left 2 dead

PASSAIC, N.J. -- Two men face charges in the fatal shootings of two people killed during a botched robbery outside a northern New Jersey nightclub.

Passaic police tell The Record that 24-year-old Luis Delcarmen and 23-year-old Johan Gonzalez, both of Passaic, face murder and conspiracy charges in the shooting that also left a man seriously wounded. A third man involved in the robbery was also being sought.

Authorities say the suspects and the victims were all at the Cloud 9 Lounge in Passaic early Saturday. The suspects apparently left the establishment but returned at closing and tried to rob the three victims.

Denise Gonzalez, 22, of Paterson, and Enpaul Cantero, 24, of Garfield, died from their wounds. Gonzalez was shot in the chest, authorities said, while Cantero was shot in the chest and stomach.

The wounded victim, 24-year-old Amin Rivas of Garfield, was hospitalized in critical condition. He was shot in the chest.

Delcarmen, believed to be the shooter, is also charged with attempted murder, robbery and weapons offenses. It wasn't known if either he or Gonzalez have retained attorneys.

Authorities are also investigating a possible link between what they described as a "vehicle of interest" in the nightclub shooting and another shooting early Saturday at a Clifton convenience store. A 21-year-old man suffered a graze wound to the side of his head during the latter shooting, which occurred about an hour after the club shooting.