February 18, 2021

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri announced today that an investigation conducted by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force resulted in a Trenton man being charged this week for the May 23, 2020 murder of Watson Cogdell.

Bobby Vazquez, 41, is charged with one count of first-degree murder, one count of second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and one count of second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.  He is currently being held in the Mercer County Correction Center on unrelated charges. The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain Vazquez pending trial.   

At approximately 1:40 p.m. on May 23, 2020, Trenton police responded to a Shot Spotter activation for three gunshots in the area of 193 Brunswick Avenue in Trenton.  Trenton patrol officers and emergency medical technicians arrived on scene and located Cogdell suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

A crime scene was located in the lot on the side of 217 Brunswick Avenue and MCHTF detectives located four .40 caliber casings and a projectile.

Witnesses were interviewed and area video surveillance footage was reviewed as part of the investigation.  Multiple witnesses were interviewed who observed the suspect shoot Cogdell.  The suspect was described as wearing dark clothing, approaching from Middle Rose Street, shooting the victim, then returning in the direction of Middle Rose Street.  A suspect identified as “Bobby” was seen running into a residence on Sanford Street after the shooting.  Officers located the residence, which was abandoned, and obtained a search warrant.  During a search, a black Taurus .40 caliber handgun, suspected narcotics and drug paraphernalia were located inside.

Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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Related MidJersey.News stories here:

BREAKING: One Shot Dead; The Carnage Continues As Shootings Ravage City

Developing Story: Trenton Shooting Victim From This Afternoon Identified

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