John C. Wisse was formally charged in a Hackensack courtroom with aggravated manslaughter and illegal weapons possession in the death of Gerald Velardi Jr. at his two-family Passaic Street home late Saturday afternoon.
Several of Velardi's relatives and friends attended the brief hearing, as did a man who was with Wisse and conferred with defense attorney Robert Galantucci.
Sources told CLIFFVIEW PILOT that Wisse -- who didn't say anything in court today -- called 911 around 5 p.m. Saturday to report the shooting.
The .38-caliber handgun was recovered, authorities said.
Wisse returned to the Bergen County Jail, where he remained held on $750,000 bail, after today's hearing.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Fort Lee and receive free news updates.