December 13, 2021

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri announced today two teenagers have been arrested in a September shooting on Bellevue Avenue in Trenton that claimed the lives
of 15-year-old Shemiah Davis and 19-year-old Candice Ruff.

A 17-year-old male from Trenton and a 16-year-old male from Hamilton are each charged
with conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder,
two counts of aggravated assault, theft by receiving stolen property, and firearms
offenses. The 17-year-old was arrested on December 1, 2021, in Trenton by members
of the U.S. Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force. He is being held in the
Middlesex County Juvenile Detention Center. The 16-year-old was arrested on
December 8, 2021, in McDonough, Georgia, by members of the U.S. Marshals Service
Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force. He is being held at the Metro Regional Youth
Detention Center in Georgia pending an extradition hearing.

The charges are the result of an investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force
and the Trenton Police Department. At approximately 6:45 p.m. on September 25, 2021,
Trenton Police responded to a Shot Spotter activation for multiple rounds in the first block
of Bellevue Avenue.

Upon arrival, officers identified two victims at the scene. Davis suffered multiple gunshot
wounds to the head and torso. She was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead
a short time later. Ruff suffered gunshot wounds to her head and died as a result of her
injuries on October 4. Two additional victims arrived at the hospital by private vehicle,
including a 17-year-old who was treated for a gunshot wound to the leg.

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

Multiple Shooting in Trenton Leaves Teenaged Girl Dead, Two Others Severely Injured

Trenton Shooting Update, 15 Year Old Victim Identified

Statement From Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora and Acting Police Director Steve Wilson on Saturday’s Bellevue Avenue Shootings

On September 27, 2021: Acting Police Director Steve Wilson and I are outraged following the senseless shooting of four Trentonians, ages 20, 15, 17, and 19, on Bellevue Avenue near North 25 Housing on Saturday evening. Tragically, the 15-year-old has passed away. We stand with these families in their hour of unspeakable pain.

The scourge of gun violence in cities across America is profoundly impacting our communities. It is terrifying and unsettling to feel the weight of this issue so close to our home and our hearts. Since January 2021, Trenton PD has taken more than 150 guns off our streets, and a new task force established by Acting Director Steve Wilson is poised to do more. We have reduced gun violence in our city by 20% compared to the same period last year. Together, we can bring the offenders of this shocking crime before the law’s full force and begin the process of healing for our entire city.

The Trenton PD, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, the New Jersey State Police, and other law enforcement are working at the Real-Time Crime Center gathering information to take these criminals off our streets. In addition, I ask residents of that neighborhood, including North 25 Housing and the public, to come forward with any information that might help us identify the perpetrators of these shootings and bring them to justice. You can provide information in confidence to the Homicide Task Force of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office at (609) 989-6406.