On Sept. 20 just before 10 p.m., a white 2006 Infinity entered the southern end of Norwood Terrace. The car, that had four people inside, stopped before a group of people standing outside a residence. One of the car occupants repeatedly fired a paint gun, hitting Catherine Van PuttenVink, 22, of Clifton, in the chest and chin. The vehicle then took off, according to Detective Lt. Scott Titus of the Totowa Police.

According to Titus, a witness, a Norwood Terrace resident, followed the Infinity and jotted down a plate number. He said the citizen tailed the vehicle back to a Fairfield address and contacted local police.

Titus said Totowa Police Officer Ray Keeley then went to Fairfield and arrested the four girls — two 14-year-olds and two 17-year-olds. He said the suspects were taken back to Totowa police headquarters.

According to Titus, one of age 17 suspects allegedly told police she was the shooter. That party was charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes. The other three girls were charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault. All four juveniles were released to their parents, pending a court date.

Titus said police found two paintball guns inside the Infinity, one of which was used in the alleged assault. He added that Van Puttenvink refused medical treatment at the scene.

The incident marks the second recent paintball gun discharge incident on Norwood Terrace. The first happened in mid-August, and resulted in the arrest of three Wayne teenagers. Van PuttenVink was among the three people injured in that attack.

All accused parties are innocent unless found guilty in a court of law, following due process.