TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Trenton’s 15th homicide of the year was from a shooting this afternoon around 5:20 pm. A Shot Spotter activation in the area of Oakland and Hoffman Avenue sent the Mercer County Homicide Task Force where they located a male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The man in his 30s was pronounced dead at the scene. Mercer County Prosecutors Office is withholding the name until the family is notified. No arrests have been made at this time.
HIGHTSTOWN, NJ (MERCER)—A Black Lives Matter protest was held in Highstown, NJ this afternoon. The march started at the Hightstown High School proceeded up Main Street to the center of town. Traffic was shut down for about ½ hour during the protest. Protesters voiced their concerns and talked with police.
One of the protesters said, “We are not here to hate, we are here to gather in love, we love you guys (the police) and want you to love us back. The color of our skin should not threaten anybody, we are all the same, we bleed the same, we are all humans, we are all the same. God made us all equal, it should not take this long for us to have equality. We are tired of being tired.”
Officers of the Hightstown Police Department were asked by protesters to “take a knee” in support and they did, shook hands, and hugged. The protesters then marched up Mercer Street back towards to the high school.
This was a peaceful protest and were no known reported incidents.
Ed note: I know a lot of the protesters from high school sports programs and also the police both sides great people.
PRINCETON, NJ (MERCER)–A Black Lives Matter protest today in on Nassau Street drew hundreds of people. Shortly after the protest started, shouts of “Is there a doctor here” went though the crowd. Police and EMTs responded to help a woman who appeared to be having a medical emergency. The person that had the medical issue was seen walking with medical personal from the scene. The protest shut down Nassau Street and concluded without any known incidents.
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP, NJ (BURLINGTON)–The Bordentown Township Fire Department, Robbinsville Fire Department and EMS from Florence Township and Robbinsville responded to the New Jersey Turnpike at 6:05 pm. The accident involving at least 2 vehicles was located at mile post 56.3 north bound outer roadway (truck lanes). At least 2 were injured and one was reported trapped in the vehicle requiring extrication. Treat’s Garage-Mackey Towing of Windsor provided towing services.
No further information is available about the accident.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–A Middlesex County, New Jersey, man was arrested today for attempting to set fire to a marked police vehicle in Trenton after a demonstration over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Justin Spry, 21, of South Plainfield, New Jersey, was arrested by special agents of the FBI and is charged by complaint with one count of attempting to damage or destroy by fire a vehicle owned or possessed by an institution receiving federal financial assistance, and one count of attempting to damage or destroy by fire a vehicle used in and affecting interstate commerce. Spry will make his initial appearance June 3, 2020, by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni.
“The conduct described in the criminal complaint demonstrates a deliberate effort to destroy a police vehicle during a demonstration,” U.S. Attorney Carpenito said. “Our office will not hesitate to bring to justice anyone who engages in this kind of destruction. We will work with our law enforcement partners to find these violent perpetrators and charge them appropriately.”
According to the complaint:
On May 31, 2020, large-scale protests were held throughout the United States, including in Trenton, in response to the death of Floyd on May 25, 2020, while in the custody of the Minneapolis Police Department. Although the May 31 protest in Trenton began peacefully, violence erupted later in the day. A group of individuals proceeded along East State Street in downtown Trenton and began to smash store fronts, loot businesses, and attack marked Trenton Police Department vehicles parked along East State Street.
A street camera recorded Spry and another individual attempt to stuff a piece of cloth into the gas tank of a marked police vehicle and ignite it. Law enforcement officers on scene observed Spry as he attempted to ignite the vehicle. Spry noticed the officers and attempted to flee, but was arrested. Both counts charged in the criminal complaint carry a statutory mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years, a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and a maximum fine of $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI and task force officers of the Joint Terrorism Task Force in Newark, as well as special agents of the FBI’s Hamilton Resident Agency, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Douglas Korneski, with the investigation leading to today’s arrest. He also thanked officers of the Trenton Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Sheilah Coley; troopers of the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Colonel Patrick J. Callahan; and officers of the New Jersey Department of Corrections, under the direction of Commissioner Marcus O. Hicks, for their assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander E. Ramey and Michelle Gasparian of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
From what we believe is Justin Spry’s Twitter Account: @JustinSpry1
On Sunday I attended a BLM protest in Trenton, NJ which was mostly peaceful until it wasn’t. I was beaten viciously by about 10 state troopers before they wrestled me to the ground and I can say with confidence that if I was black I probably would’ve been killed. This is not okay pic.twitter.com/96V0gk5NmH
Some more pictures of the abuse that I endured on Sunday. I was also held in custody for 17 hours with no food or water until the last hour of being held. I was also never read my Miranda rights. My charge was also never specified until was released. #BLM#PoliceBrutalitypic.twitter.com/pqfHbpbvrF
EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)—An autopsy was performed and Ms. Davis’ death has been ruled a homicide. The victim suffered a gunshot wound by a metal air gun pellet that struck internal organs and caused massive internal bleeding. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are being reviewed.
The Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Ewing Police Department are investigating the death of a Pennsylvania woman that occurred on Glen Stewart Drive in Ewing Township.
At approximately 6:30 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2020, Ewing police were alerted to a deceased female in a home on Glen Stewart Drive. Upon arrival, they located the victim, identified as Ashley Davis, 32, of Levittown, Pennsylvania, in the basement. There were visible wounds to Ms. Davis’ body and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
During the execution of a search warrant at the home, two long BB guns and a short BB gun were located in the same room as the victim’s body. Numerous used bags of suspected heroin with various stamps were also discovered during the search. The victim’s boyfriend, Aaron Adams, 38, who resides at the Glen Stewart home, has been charged with certain persons not to possess a weapon. He is in the custody of the Mercer County Department of Corrections. The cause and manner of death of Ms. Davis’ death are pending an autopsy. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Mercer County Homicide Task Force at (609) 989-6406 or mchtftips@mercercounty.org
Aaron Adams, 38, who resides at the Glen Stewart home, has been charged with certain persons not to possess a weapon. He is in the custody of the Mercer County Department of Corrections.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–On June 1, 2020 at 10:20 p.m. the Hamilton Police Division arrested Armando Recinos-Velasquez 18 yrs. Of age from Trenton, NJ for Obstructing the Administration of Law and violation of Hamilton Twp. emergency curfew restrictions following a report of an attempted burglary to the Oasis Deli 1641 South Olden Avenue. Recinos-Valasquez was arrested following a brief foot pursuit and taken into custody without further incident.
The Oasis Deli and surrounding businesses had no other signs of entry or attempted entry.
All parties are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Armando Recinos-Velasquez 18 yrs. Of age from Trenton,Hamilton Police Division arrested Armando Recinos-Velasquez 18 yrs. Of age from Trenton, NJ for Obstructing the Administration of Law and violation of Hamilton Twp. emergency curfew restrictions following a report of an attempted burglary to the Oasis Deli 1641 South Olden Avenue.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–On June 2, 2020 at 12:45 a.m. the Hamilton Police Division arrested 6 parties for violation of the Hamilton Twp. Emergency Ordinance Curfew Violation and possession of under 50 grams of marijuana. The arrest occurred pursuant to an investigation of two suspicious vehicles that were occupied and stopped in the Delta Gas Station located 1406 Chambers Street Hamilton, NJ. The following parties were arrested pursuant to an investigation of Possession of under 50 grams of marijuana and Violation of the Emergency curfew in effect throughout Hamilton Twp.
Jaimielyn A. Williams B/F 18 yrs of age from Langhorne, Pa; a W/M juvenile 17 yrs. Of age from Levittown Pa;
A W/M juvenile 16 yrs of age from Bristol, Pa; A B/F juvenile 17 yrs. Of age from Bristol, Pa; A B/M juvenile from Langhorne, Pa; and a H/M from Trenton, NJ.
All parties are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Jaimielyn A. Williams, 18 yrs of age from Langhorne, PaJaimielyn A. Williams, 18 yrs of age from Langhorne, Pa
Note: If you got to have a WaWa they close about 5:30 pm because they need to clean the store and get ready for the next day. Get your WaWa before 5:30 pm.
HAMILTON, TRENTON, EWING, NJ (MERCER)–While minor incidents occurred last evening, Hamilton Township will continue the regional curfew imposed yesterday in Trenton, Ewing, and Lawrence from 7:00 PM this evening, Tuesday, June 2, 2020 through 6:00 AM Wednesday, June 3, 2020.
IT IS ORDERED THAT:
1. All provisions from the prior Proclamations of Local Disasters Emergency shall remain in effect;
2. All Township parks and other public areas shall be closed from the hours of 7 p.m. to 6 a.m;
3. All businesses, including essential businesses as designated by the Governor, shall be closed to the public during the hours of the curfew; essential employees of essential businesses, including distribution centers, shall be exempted from this curfew;
4. Hotels and their employees shall be exempted from this curfew;
5. All persons shall shelter in place in their residence;
6. Persons reporting to or from, or performing their essential job including, but not limited to, government officials or employees conducting their official duties, health care workers, law enforcement or emergency personnel, shall be exempted from this curfew;
7. There shall be no deliveries during the curfew, except to essential services and businesses which have confirmed that employees are present to accept deliveries, even while closed to the public; delivery services shall not deliver packages to any closed business or residence during the curfew;
8. Persons travelling because of a reasonable fear for his or her health or safety, shall be exempted from this curfew;
9. Persons travelling at the directions of law enforcement or other governmental agency shall be exempted from this curfew;
10. Persons seeking medical attention, essential social services or assistance from law enforcement or emergency services, shall be exempted from this curfew.
Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal today provided updates to ongoing initiatives that advance the Administration’s goal of strengthening trust between police officers and the communities they serve in New Jersey.
Today’s announcement included updates on initiatives designed to ensure, among other things, that police are held to the highest professional standards; that use of force is monitored and governed by the strongest policies; that officers are trained to de-escalate situations involving individuals in crisis; and that the State responds immediately to major civil rights incidents that threaten police-community trust.
The reforms announced today are an outgrowth of the “Excellence in Policing” initiative launched by Attorney General Grewal and other law enforcement leaders in December 2019.
“Fixing a system that is fundamentally broken requires us to acknowledge the erosion of trust between communities of color and law enforcement,” said Governor Murphy. “From day one, my Administration has been committed to bringing transformational change to community policing and police culture in New Jersey. Under Attorney General Grewal’s leadership, we will take further steps to build upon our progress and deepen the well of trust in our communities, including the first update of our use-of-force policies in two decades. ”
“The tragic killing of George Floyd reminds us that our country has a long way to go, not only in healing our nation’s racial divides, but also in addressing the systemic and implicit biases that affect all Americans,” said Attorney General Grewal. “Long before this week’s protests, we committed ourselves to making New Jersey a national leader in policing reform. And we’re in this for the long haul, not because it’s easy or popular, but because it’s the right thing to do.”
Expanding “Crisis Intervention Team” Training. Experts agree that one of the most effective ways to reduce police use-of-force and death-in-custody incidents is by expanding the use of Crisis Intervention Teams (CITs), which help officers respond to situations involving individuals with mental health issues. However, CIT training is expensive and typically available only from a handful of outside vendors. To reduce the barriers to entry, the Attorney General’s Office is exploring the capacity to build a statewide CIT training program. As a first step, the state will launch a pilot program, using an outside vendor, with police departments in Atlantic City, Paterson, Trenton, and Millville, as well as New Jersey State Police Troopers assigned in Trenton.
Endorsing Statewide Certification for Police Officers. In December 2019, as part of the “Excellence in Policing” initiative, Attorney General Grewal asked the Police Training Commission (PTC) to consider implementing a statewide professional licensure program for police, as well as a framework for enhancing all police training. That analysis is nearly complete, and a proposal for a statewide program will be presented to the PTC later this month, with support from Attorney General Grewal.
Statewide Use of Force Portal. Earlier this year, the Attorney General’s Office launched a pilot program for the new statewide Use of Force Portal. That pilot program is now complete, and the Attorney General’s Office is ready to begin expanding the program statewide in July. The Use of Force Portal will allow for the gathering and meaningful analysis of uniform use-of-force data from all law enforcement agencies in New Jersey.
Updating Use-of-Force Policy. The Attorney General’s Office has not updated its use-of-force policy in two decades. In December 2019, Attorney General Grewal announced that the Office of Public Integrity & Accountability (OPIA) would undertake a comprehensive evaluation of the use-of-force policy. Today, Attorney General Grewal announced that he will issue an AG Directive by the end of 2020 that will revise and update the policy for all 36,000 law enforcement officers in New Jersey. In developing the policy, he will consult widely with stakeholders and draw on data collected through the new Use of Force portal.
Division on Civil Rights (DCR) Incident Response Team. Unlike the federal government, New Jersey currently lacks a team of community-relations specialists who can respond in the community following a major civil rights incident. The Attorney General’s Office intends to develop such a team within DCR in the months ahead.
Leaders involved in the CIT training pilot program responded to the announcement today:
“The CIT-NJ program plays a critical role in helping to deescalate challenging circumstances, which is particularly important for the individuals with mental health conditions who we serve and who may interact with law enforcement and the criminal justice system,” said Commissioner Carole Johnson of the New Jersey Department of Human Services, which funds CIT-NJ through the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services. “We look forward to continuing to work with the Attorney General on this valuable tool to help connect people to care and build trust with the communities most in need of support.”
“I want to thank Attorney General Grewal for the collaborative plan to expand the CIT-NJ Center of Excellence Program here in New Jersey,” said CIT-NJ Director Edward C. Dobleman. ”CIT-NJ is an evidence-based program which is based on community partnerships of law enforcement, mental health and addiction professionals, county resources, and other front line professionals on how to de-escalate many different crisis situations. CIT-NJ Center of Excellence was started in 2007 in Camden County and is now active in 18 of our 21 counties. With this new plan and partnership, we here at CIT-NJ are excited to expand our program and bring the program to our New Jersey State Police as well as a new pilot program focusing on several New Jersey Police Departments to further educate and implement new evidence-based crisis intervention while bringing our communities together during these difficult times. We have some of the greatest trained first responders here in New Jersey and the CIT-NJ Center of Excellence program will only enhance this while building and uniting our communities. Thank you and we look forward to the collaboration.”
“Our law enforcement officers are charged with the service and protection of all the citizens of New Jersey, and this training will equip them with additional tools to assist those experiencing a mental health crisis,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “I am proud to join our state, local, and medical partners in this crucial training initiative, and I am confident that it will enhance our ability to provide a greater level of service to our communities.”
“The Passaic County Crisis Intervention Training has provided officers with invaluable training in how to de-escalate highly charged situations with professionalism and empathy,” said Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes. “We look forward to focusing our efforts and experience to pilot a program in the City of Paterson. CIT training will be an invaluable tool for Paterson Police Officers and will benefit community members when they engage with law enforcement.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank the Attorney General for recognizing the importance and value of CIT training and its impact on the lives of first responders and the communities they serve,” said Paterson Public Safety Director Jerry Speziale. “The 20 spots afforded our agency will provide critical training in the area of crisis intervention, so vital to developing a culture of tolerance, understanding and cooperation between law enforcement, mental health professionals and those in the community struggling with mental illness. By working collaboratively and engaging stakeholders with diverse perspectives, we can approach the way we interact with those in our community dealing with mental health issues in a way that results in stronger police-community relationships and improved outcomes.”
“I am proud to collaborate with the Attorney General to bring such a progressive program to New Jersey,” said Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri. “The most effective police officer is a highly-trained police officer, and we know that law enforcement is often the first to interact with those with mental illness. There are many challenges to these interactions, and by expanding our officers’ knowledge of mental health and providing them with the skills to respond to those in crisis, we can advance public safety and reduce the stigma commonly associated with mental illness.”
“The ability to quickly recognize the signs and symptoms of mental illness is critical for Atlantic City police officers,” said Chief Henry White Jr. of the Atlantic City Police Department. “With a large homeless population, officers are routinely interacting with individuals who are experiencing mental illness or a substance abuse disorder. We have created exceptional partnerships with our local mental health providers and have four designated Community Outreach officers. The expansion of the Crisis Intervention training will better serve our community by continuing to build on those relationships.”
“I would like to thank the Attorney General for choosing Cumberland County to host a pilot,” said Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae. “I thank Chief Farabella for graciously accepting my call to participate. My office has supported CIT training for all of our departments, including Millville, for several years. Training more officers will increase our ability to address mental health appropriately and ultimately make our community safer.”
Over the past two years, the Attorney General’s Office has consulted closely with law enforcement leaders, community leaders, police unions, civil rights groups, and victims’ advocates to ensure that policing reforms are developed with meaningful buy-in from all relevant stakeholders. This deliberative process has helped the Attorney General’s Office develop progressive policies with broad support across law enforcement.
The initiatives announced today build on important policies and programs the Attorney General’s Office has implemented in recent years to bolster police-community trust:
Excellence in Policing Initiative. In December 2019, Attorney General Grewal announced the Excellence in Policing Initiative, a sweeping set of reforms designed to promote a culture of professionalism, accountability, and transparency in law enforcement.
Statewide implicit bias training. In June 2018, Attorney General Grewal mandated that all prosecutors and officers employed by the Department of Law & Public Safety—including all 2,800 New Jersey State Troopers—undergo implicit bias training.
De-escalation training. New Jersey offers de-escalation training to law enforcement officers throughout their careers, including during their initial academy training. Since 2017, the Attorney General’s Office has offered multi-hour courses on de-escalation, use of force, and cultural sensitivity for officers across the state.
EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–The Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Ewing Police Department are investigating the death of a Pennsylvania woman that occurred on Glen Stewart Drive in Ewing Township.
At approximately 6:30 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2020, Ewing police were alerted to a deceased female in a home on Glen Stewart Drive. Upon arrival, they located the victim, identified as Ashley Davis, 32, of Levittown, Pennsylvania, in the basement. There were visible wounds to Ms. Davis’ body and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
During the execution of a search warrant at the home, two long BB guns and a short BB gun were located in the same room as the victim’s body. Numerous used bags of suspected heroin with various stamps were also discovered during the search. The victim’s boyfriend, Aaron Adams, 38, who resides at the Glen Stewart home, has been charged with certain persons not to possess a weapon. He is in the custody of the Mercer County Department of Corrections.
The cause and manner of death of Ms. Davis’ death are pending an autopsy. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Mercer County Homicide Task Force at (609) 989-6406 or mchtftips@mercercounty.org
Aaron Adams, 38, who resides at the Glen Stewart home, has been charged with certain persons not to possess a weapon. He is in the custody of the Mercer County Department of Corrections.
Aaron Adams, 38, who resides at the Glen Stewart home, has been charged with certain persons not to possess a weapon. He is in the custody of the Mercer County Department of Corrections.
The FBI respects the rights of individuals to peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights. Our mission of protecting the American people and upholding the Constitution is dual and simultaneous, not contradictory.
Accordingly, we are committed to apprehending and charging violent instigators who are exploiting legitimate, peaceful protests and engaging in violations of federal law. The continued violence, potential threat to life, and destruction of property across the United States interferes with the rights and safety of First Amendment-protected peaceful demonstrators, as well as all other citizens.
To help us identify actors who are actively instigating violence in the wake of Mr. George Floyd’s death, the FBI is accepting tips and digital media depicting violent encounters surrounding the civil unrest that is happening throughout the country.
If you witness or have witnessed unlawful violent actions, we urge you to submit any information, photos, or videos that could be relevant to the case at fbi.gov/violence.
You may also call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) to verbally report tips and/or information related to this investigation.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Water main break has caused flooding at the intersection. Traffic can not pass and is being turned around. Please plan accordingly. Local residents may experience low water pressure.
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