Crime & Safety

Cops 'Not Sure' Why Wayne's Rinas Wanted a Handgun

Three men are charged in connection with the shooting death of Rinas, 18, who was killed shortly after the commencement ceremony at Wayne Valley High School last week.

Isaac Rinas of Wayne drove to Paterson a few hours after he graduated high school last week to purchase a gun and was shot and killed in an attempt to rob him, authorities announced at a news conference Tuesday afternoon.

“Detectives are not sure why he wanted to buy a gun,” said Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes.

Three men have been arrested and charged in the Wayne Valley graduate's death:

Find out what's happening in Waynewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Classmate Casey Cole, 18, was charged with felony murder, conspiracy to commit robbery and robbery last week.
  • Quashon Faircloth, 27, of Paterson was charged with murder, felony murder and weapons offenses.
  • Bishma Cowan, 24, of Paterson was arrested Sunday. He was charged with murder and robbery.

Authorities said Tuesday that Rinas and Cole drove to Paterson in Rinas’ father’s Infiniti G37 in an effort to buy a handgun. Rinas and Cole went to see Cowan on Hamilton Avenue in Paterson after the Wayne Valley High School graduation ceremony Wednesday.

According to authorities, Rinas had $350 on him to purchase the gun, which has not been recovered.

Find out what's happening in Waynewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Authorities said they do know exactly what kind of gun Rinas was trying to purchase.

Cowan directed Cole and Rinas to wait on Fair Street near East 18th Street, an area known for gang and drug activity, Valdes said. After they parked, Faircroft entered the back of the vehicle on the driver’s side and ordered Cole out of the vehicle.

A few seconds later, Faircloth attempted to rob Rinas, Valdes said. Rinas began to exit the vehicle when Faircraft shot him once in the neck and left the area on foot.

Michael DeMarco, assistant county prosecutor, who is leading the investigation, said Faircloth took the $350 from Rinas after he shot him.

Cole remained at the scene and called emergency services, police said.

Valdes said authorities are continuing to investigate the incident.

Authorities said they did not know if Faircloth knew Cole but that Cole knows Cowan from “prior dealings.”

Cowan and Cole are each being held on $2 million cash bail. Both men appeared before Superior Court Judge Marilyn Clark Tuesday morning.

Cole and Cowman pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against them.

Dozens of friend and family members remembered Rinas at a service Tuesday morning at Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home.

Rinas’ friends said he wanted to join the military and become a police officer. They also said they were surprised that Rinas would want to purchase a gun, calling it “completely out of character.”

“He was always on the go, always looking for the next big thrill,” Meredith Rinas’ Isaac's mother, told attendees. “He loved his family and friends.”

— Have a question or news tip? Contact editor Daniel Hubbard at Daniel.Hubbard@patch.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.