TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–According to the Mercer County Prosecutors Office, just after 9 p.m., Trenton police responded to a residence in the 100 block of Liberty Street on the report of a teenager shot. Upon arrival, they located a 16-year-old male suffering a gunshot wound to the face. He was pronounced dead at the scene. There were other teenagers present in the house and a gun was at the scene. Trenton Police and the Mercer County Homicide Task Force are investigating the circumstances surrounding the teen’s death.
This is a developing story check back for further details.
Names of the 2022 homicide victims in the City of Trenton:
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–In a prepared statement from Governor Phil Murphy’s Office:
“This afternoon, as part of a regularly-scheduled testing regime, Governor Murphy took a rapid antigen test that came back positive for COVID-19. He subsequently took a PCR test, which also came back positive. He is currently asymptomatic and feeling well.
“The contact tracing process has begun to notify everyone who may have come into contact with the Governor during the potential infection window. Per CDC guidance, the Governor will cancel in-person events, isolate for the next five days, and continue to monitor for symptoms before taking an additional PCR test.
“The Governor has diligently taken precautions to limit the spread of COVID-19 and encourages everyone eligible to get vaccinated and boosted, as he has done, to protect themselves and their loved ones from the virus.”
Governor Phil Murphy, File Photo, Murphy is currently asymptomatic and feeling well.
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ – On March 27, the Robbinsville Democratic Club purchased $1000 in medical supplies and donated an additional $1000 by check to support the humanitarian efforts of St. George Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Hamilton, NJ, which is gathering and shipping much-needed supplies directly to the people of Ukraine. The Club is collecting supplies locally and fundraising indefinitely, as Ukraine and its allies respond to the Russian invasion.
“We began this fundraising drive with the goal to raise $500 for supplies, but we had such an overwhelming response from our generous Club members, friends, and family that we decided to do even more,” says Kiran Agrahara, the Club’s president. “We decided to set a goal of raising $1000 for supplies and $1000 to offset shipping costs, as it costs thousands of dollars to send just one truck’s worth of supplies to Ukraine. We are thrilled to say we met that goal.”
The partnership between the Robbinsville Democratic Club and St. George began a little over a month ago, when Natalia Krupa, the church’s donation drive liaison, posted to a local Facebook group that she was seeking cardboard boxes to use for shipments abroad. Heidi Wolfinger, the Club’s philanthropy committee chair, reached out to determine how the Club could support the church in its efforts, and has since become a hub for residents in Robbinsville and surrounding towns who want to help. In addition to the $2000 raised via its GoFundMe campaign, the Club has also donated bags upon bags of clothing, personal hygiene products, and medical supplies collected from residents in Robbinsville and communities nearby.
“The support from Robbinsville and surrounding towns for the Ukrainian people has been inspiring,” says Wolfinger. “Sadly, the need for support is not over, as the war rages in Ukraine. As we watch the devastation, thousands of miles away, knowing that we are doing our best to support their efforts is some solace. Democracy is not guaranteed or free. It needs daily tending and the war in Ukraine is evidence of that. Thank you, to everyone who has donated so far.”
People interested in donating supplies should visit the Robbinsville Democratic Club’s Facebook page for drop-off locations as well as the most up-to-date list of humanitarian needs (it shifts as conditions on the ground change). Alternatively, people can donate to this fundraising link, where 100 percent of proceeds will be used each week to purchase high-priority donation items.
“We want to thank the Robbinsville Democratic Club for its generous donation and continued assistance to the St. George Ukrainian Orthodox Church,” says Krupa. “The Robbinsville Democratic Club has gone above and beyond to help and support people in crisis in Ukraine.”
In addition to this effort, the Robbinsville Democratic Club is raising money for a Robbinsville High School scholarship, coordinating a Pride event and LGBTQ forum in June, and spearheading a Juneteenth celebration. Prospective members and friends can contact the Robbinsville Democratic Club executive board at robbinsvilledemclub@gmail.com.
About the Robbinsville Democratic Club The Robbinsville Democratic Club was founded in 2019 to give Democrats in Robbinsville a place to discuss issues central to the Democratic platform and get involved to make positive change locally and beyond. Membership is open to students and adults in Robbinsville and surrounding communities. For more information, visit www.robbinsvilledemocraticclub.org
BRIELLE, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Yesterday March 30, 2022, Brielle Police and Fire Departments responded to a pickup truck on fire at a residence in the 400 Block of Riverview Lane. Residents and Police used extinguishers and a garden hose to keep the flames from extending into a nearby garage. Once firefighters arrived, they pulled a handline off the fire engine and extinguished the fire. There appeared to be some minor extension to the garage. No other information is available about the fire.
BORDENTOWN CITY, NJ (BURLINGTON)–Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a Superior Court jury deliberated less than two hours before convicting a 58-year-old Trenton man of robbing a Bordentown City bank of nearly $7,000 in January 2020.
George T. Rodgers, of Jarvis Place, was found guilty yesterday of one count of Robbery (Second Degree). The Hon. Gerard H. Breland, J.S.C., scheduled sentencing for May 27.
Rodgers has been lodged in the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly since being taken into custody just hours after holding up the bank.
The investigation began around noon on January 14, 2020, after officers were dispatched to the Investor’s Bank in the 200 block of Route 130 for a report of a robbery. The investigation revealed that the suspect approached the bank on a bicycle, then entered wearing a ski mask and passed the teller a note that read, “Give me the money, no dye bags.”
The suspect received $6,779 in cash, which he placed inside a purple Crown Royal whiskey bag before fleeing on his bicycle. The investigation further revealed that the suspect then pedaled to a Hyundai Santa Fe parked at a nearby restaurant, placed the bicycle in the rear of the SUV, entered the vehicle and drove off on Route 130 North.
Investigators were able to locate the vehicle later that day and, upon making a traffic stop, discovered Rodgers behind the wheel. The bicycle, the Crown Royal bag, a ski mask and $4,700 in cash were discovered inside of his residence.
The case was investigated by the Bordentown City Police Department and the Bordentown Township Police Department. Rodgers is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Julian Harris.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Today in Trenton, local leaders from Amazon and the City of Trenton hosted a Women’s History Month program honoring two local advocacy organizations: Womanspace and Dress for Success of Central New Jersey.
“We’re here to celebrate Amazon’s partnership, not only with the city but with Womanspace and Dress for Success,” said Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora. “It was amazing to see two trucks pull up that fulfilled two organization’s wish lists so they can continue in their operations and continue to provide the programming that the women of Trenton and surrounding areas deserve.”
The program, which took place at Trenton City Hall, saw Amazon deliver two vans full of wish list items for Womanspace and Dress for Success of Central New Jersey. Both agencies are non-profits that serve women and families. Womanspace provides comprehensive services to those impacted by domestic and sexual violence. Dress for Success of Central New Jersey offers women a network of support, professional attire, and development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
Donated items from Amazon included electronics like televisions, kitchen and home goods, toiletries, and children’s items.
“I am so grateful to work with the City of Trenton, Womanspace, and Dress for Success of Central New Jersey,” said Erin Hall, a leader of the Women@Amazon employee resource group in New Jersey. “To focus on Women’s History Month, we are so proud to tout everything Womanspace – which houses women who have gone through domestic violence situations and Dress for Success which helps women find jobs – do to help our community.”
Mayor Gusciora, who emceed today’s event, was joined by the city’s Health and Human Services Director Dr. Adela Ames Lopez, who called the partnerships Amazon has forged with Trenton, Womanspace, and Dress for Success of Central New Jersey “true win for the city of Trenton.”
For their parts, Womanspace and Dress for Success of Central New Jersey expressed their gratitude for Amazon’s donations and detailed the work they do to help women and families.
“Womanspace helps survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault,” said Nathalie Nelson, CEO and President of Womanspace. “We run three hotlines. We have different programs such as our emergency shelter. We have our transitional housing, as well as our counseling and support. We are so grateful for Amazon. They have helped us in so many ways. They help all of our clients.”
“Women come to our organization to empower themselves, to get the skills and clothes they need to become successful in the working world because economic empowerment is what we’re all about,” said Aileen Kornblatt of Dress for Success of Central New Jersey.
In addition to these donations, Amazon also detailed a volunteering agreement it has with both Womanspace and Dressed for Success. This will include resume assistance, interview training, outreach regarding job openings , and general efforts meant to help both organizations.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri announced that Isiah M. Roberts, 19 of the 1400 Block of South Clinton Ave., Trenton was arrested in connection with the murder of Sequoya Bacon-Jones age 9 of Kingsbury Square. Roberts has been charged with Murder, 2nd Degree Aggravated Assault, 4th Degree Aggravated Assault for pointing a weapon, 3 counts of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree. At 7:27 p.m., On March 25, 2022 Trenton Police Officers were detailed to Kingsbury Square on reports of shots fired. Two Trenton Police Officers found Sequoya on the ground suffering from a gunshot wound with several citizens rendering aid and Sequoya’s mother was there too rendering aid. The two officers rushed to render aid and brought Sequoya to their police car for possible transport to Captial Health Trauma Center. Trenton EMS arrived on scene and transferred Sequoya to their ambulance one of the police officers along with EMS transported Sequoya to Capital Health Regional Medical Center Trauma Unit. Sequoya was taken into surgery where the surgeon was able to stabilize Sequoya. She sustained a single gunshot wound to the upper body and the gunshot wound was completely though. Sequoya was transferred to RWJ University Hospital in New Brunswick but passed away at 11:59 p.m.
The Mercer County Homicide Taskforce began their investigation and learned that Sequoya and her brother were playing with other children in the court yard area of the low rise are of Kingsbury. It was determined that two females were in a dispute over a Facebook post and went to the court yard to fight. As the fight was taking place an altercation ensued between Isiah M. Roberts, and another male in the immediate area of the fight. Roberts and the male separated but that altercation made its way into the courtyard where numerous shots were fired. Roberts then fled the area in an Accura which was described by numerous residents of Kingsbury who called 9-1-1.
Detectives conducted numerous interviews, reviewed countless hours of video, and spent hours canvasing the neighborhood for information. The detectives pieced the case together and at 11:45 a.m., yesterday morning March 29, 2022 located the Accura and stopped the vehicle on Deutz Avenue in Hamilton Township. As the vehicle pulled over and before it stopped Isiah M. Roberts jumped out and fled on foot. Detectives from the Homicide Task Force engaged in a long foot pursuit along Route 129 in Hamiton Township. It was later learned that Roberts was fleeing Trenton to East Brunswick, NJ to hide from the authorities. A dragnet was cast over Hamilton to find Roberts by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, Trenton Police Department, Mercer County Sherriff Office, The NJ State Police, Hamilton Township Police, and the New Jersey Transit Police. At 12:45 p.m. yesterday March 29, 2022, Roberts was arrested as he entered the Delaware River on Lamberton Road.
Mercer County Prosecutor, Angelo J. Onofri thanked numbers residents for calling 9-1-1, caring for Sequoya and providing assistance with information that led to the capture of Isiah M. Roberts.
Isiah M. Roberts, 19, has been arrested and charged in connection to the death of a 9-year-old girl fatally shot in Trenton.A Facebook profile photograph believed to be Isiah Roberts can be located here It shows a younger Isiah Roberts with a gun on the waist band and holding a large amount of money in a kitchen. It has not been confirmed that this is Isiah Roberts but appears to be him with similar features.
Names of the 2022 homicide victims in the City of Trenton:
Angelo J. Onofri Mercer County prosecutor file photo by Brian McCarthyAngelo J. Onofri Mercer County prosecutor file photosMayor W. Reed Gusciora, file photoKingsbury Twin Towers in Trenton, NJ file photoFile photos of other crime scenes at Kingsbury Towers crime scenes by Brian McCarthy
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri announced today that an investigation into a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred in Trenton in August 2021 has resulted in criminal charges being filed against a Bordentown man.
Lemark Norwood, 44, is charged with second-degree leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and third-degree endangering an injured victim. He was processed and released pending future court proceedings.
On Sunday, August 29, 2021, at approximately 5:15 a.m., Trenton police responded to the intersection of Route 129 and Lalor Street for a hit-and-run motor vehicle collision. Responding officers found Celso Rivera, 35, in the roadway and rendered aid, but Rivera was pronounced dead at the scene.
Trenton Police Detective Nicholas Morgante and Detective Ryan Minnick of the prosecutor’s Serious Collision Response Team worked for months reviewing automated license plate reader data, combing through surveillance camera footage from the area, and identifying and speaking to witnesses who passed through the intersection in the same approximate time frame of the crash. The investigation revealed that, on the morning of the fatal collision, Norwood was operating a blue 2017 Mercedes Benz E400 in the area. When detectives made contact with Norwood at his residence in Bordentown, the Mercedes Benz was parked in the driveway. The vehicle had visible damage to the front hood, including a dent on the driver’s side with a paint chip missing.
Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
JACKSON, NJ (OCEAN)–Jackson Township Police say that on Tuesday March 29, 2022 at 12:21 a.m., multiple officers responded to the area of North New Prospect and Larsen Roads after a passerby reported that a building under construction at a work site on the corner was on fire. There is currently a new apartment complex named The Paragon being built at the location. Responding officers reported that a building at the corner of the property was on fire, with visible flames coming from all three floors of the building. Jackson Stations 54, 55, 56 and 57, along with Southward and Freewood Acres Fire Departments from Howell responded and extinguished the fire. The Ocean County Fire Marshal responded to the scene and the investigation is currently ongoing and is being conducted by Jackson Police Detective Anthony Riso and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office. Anyone with any additional information about this incident is asked to contact Det. Riso at 732-928-1111.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–A Mercer County grand jury recently returned a four-count indictment charging Dwayne Capers with the June 2020 shooting death of 37-year-old Dontae Barnes in Trenton, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.
Capers, 28, of Trenton, is charged with first-degree murder, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun and second-degree certain persons not to possess a firearm. He is being held in the Mercer County Correction Center pending trial.
The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department. At approximately 5:20 p.m. on June 2, 2020, police responded to a Shot Spotter activation in the area of Oakland Street and Hoffman Avenue. Upon arrival, police located Barnes on the sidewalk suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
An initial canvas of the scene produced several shell casings and some clothing articles. Area video surveillance was reviewed and footage was obtained capturing the entire incident. An investigative detention order was obtained requiring Capers to provide a DNA sample. Results of a DNA analysis indicated Capers’ DNA profile was found on a tank top shirt recovered after Barnes’ shooting. Capers was arrested on December 23, 2021.
Assistant Prosecutor Rachel Cook presented the case to the grand jury.
Despite having been indicted, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Three New Jersey Lottery tickets matched four of the five white balls and the Powerball drawn for the Saturday, March 26, drawing winning the $50,000 third-tier prize. Those tickets were sold at the following locations:
Mercer County: Foley’s Family Market, 1080 Whitehorse Mercerville Rd., Hamilton.
The winning numbers for the Saturday, March 26, drawing were: 02, 10, 50, 59, and 61. The Red Power Ball number was 06. The Power Playwas 3X. There were 27,520 other New Jersey players who took home an estimated $159,935 in prizes ranging from $4 to $300. The Powerball jackpot rolls to $195,000,000 for the Monday, March 28, drawing.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The Mercer County Homicide Task Force is investigating a gun-related death last night in the Kingsbury Square courtyard, near Cooper Street. The victim is a 9-year-old female Trenton resident.
At 7:30 pm, police responded to a report of a fistfight in a large crowd, as well as an alert from the ShotSpotter system. Private security officers were on the premises at the time of the shooting.
The Trenton Police Department, along with the task force, are asking anyone with information regarding the early evening incident to please contact investigators. The tipline is (609) 989-6406. Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org.
Mayor Reed Gusciora issued the following statement:
“This horrific incident has taken the life of a child. There were many eyewitnesses to the shooting who can help hold this individual accountable. Please, we must step up together. I’m grieving for the family and friends whose hearts are absolutely broken on this morning. I know investigators are doing everything they can to bring about justice. But they need help from our residents.”
The Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department are investigating a Friday evening shooting in Trenton that claimed the life of a nine-year-old girl, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.
At approximately 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 25, 2022, Trenton patrol units responded to Kingsbury Square for a Shot Spotter activation and the report of fights breaking out amongst a large group of individuals. Upon arrival, officers located a large crowd outside in a low-rise courtyard and a nine-year old girl suffering a gunshot wound. She was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center, then to Robert Wood Johnson New Brunswick Hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly before midnight. No other shooting injuries were reported.
No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Mercer County Homicide Task Force at (609) 989-6406. Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org.
File photos by: Brian McCarthy
Names of the 2022 homicide victims in the City of Trenton:
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Yesterday afternoon around 1:15 p.m. a stabbing was reported at West State Street and North Overbrook Avenue. Trenton Police, Trenton EMS, Capital Health Paramedics and Trenton Fire responded to the scene. The victim was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center it was reported that a Trauma Alert was called. No further information is available at this time.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The Union County Prosecutor’s Office has released body camera videos from the police involved shooting on February 12, 2022.
Video below is age restricted 18+ please follow the link to view the video since it contains language and images that may be unacceptable or troubling to viewers.
The case has been handed to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office as per the NJ Attorney General’s guidelines. It was done to prevent any conflicts of interest.
Trenton Body Worn Camera Footage
Disclaimer
The body worn camera footage from this incident is being provided by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office under the authority of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118.5 and Attorney General Directives 2019-4 and 2022-1.
This footage contains language and images that may be unacceptable or troubling to viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.
PLAINSBORO, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–The Attorney General’s Office today released video footage from four body-worn cameras, two mobile video recorders (MVRs) in law enforcement vehicles, and two Taser cameras related to a fatal police-involved shooting that occurred on Feb. 16, 2022, in Plainsboro, N.J. The decedent has been identified as Atiba Lewis, 45, of Plainsboro. The officer who fired at Mr. Lewis has been identified as Officer Phillip Nguyen of the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office.
The fatal shooting remains under investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA). The recordings are being released pursuant to policies established by the Attorney General’s Office in 2019 that are designed to promote the fair, impartial, and transparent investigation of fatal police encounters. Investigators met today with Mr. Lewis’ family to review the recordings.
According to the preliminary investigation, the shooting occurred shortly after 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 16. A civil order for possession (eviction/ejection) had been authorized to remove Mr. Lewis from an apartment on Ravens Crest Drive in Plainsboro. The Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office executed the order with assistance from other law enforcement agencies on the morning of Feb. 16. Later that same morning, law enforcement officers sought and executed a search warrant for an unlawful firearm at Mr. Lewis’ residence.
Law enforcement executed the order and search warrant while Mr. Lewis was out of the apartment.
At approximately 11:30 a.m., after Mr. Lewis had arrived back at the apartment complex, law enforcement officers attempted to arrest him for unlawful possession of the firearm.
When the officers approached Mr. Lewis, he pulled out a knife and ran away from them. He continued to threaten the officers with the knife. Four officers deployed Tasers in an attempt to disarm Mr. Lewis, but the Tasers were ineffective. Mr. Lewis was agitated and lunged at officers several times. At approximately 11:35 a.m., with a knife in his hand, Mr. Lewis advanced directly toward Officer Nguyen, who then fired his weapon, fatally wounding Mr. Lewis.
Officers and emergency medical personnel rendered first aid to Mr. Lewis, who was transported to Princeton Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at 12:10 p.m.
The investigation is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time.
This investigation is being conducted pursuant to a state law enacted in January 2019 (P.L. 2019, c.1), which requires that the Attorney General’s Office conduct all investigations of a person’s death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer’s official capacity or while the decedent is in custody. Separately, the Independent Prosecutor Directive, which was issued in December 2019, outlines a 10-step process for conducting these investigations. The Directive establishes clear procedures governing such investigations to ensure that they are conducted in a full, impartial and transparent manner. Under both state law and the Directive, when the entire investigation is complete, the case will be presented to a grand jury, typically consisting of 16 to 23 citizens, to make the ultimate decision regarding whether criminal charges will be filed.
A copy of the Directive is available at this link:
When the officers approached Mr. Lewis, he pulled out a knife and ran away from them. He continued to threaten the officers with the knife. Four officers deployed Tasers in an attempt to disarm Mr. Lewis, but the Tasers were ineffective. Mr. Lewis was agitated and lunged at officers several times. At approximately 11:35 a.m., with a knife in his hand, Mr. Lewis advanced directly toward Officer Nguyen, who then fired his weapon, fatally wounding Mr. Lewis.
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