March 17, 2022
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Announced at a press conference today, the Zeff Law Firm with the support of the NAACP New Jersey State Conference will be filing a lawsuit on behalf of Jajuan R. Henderson against the City of Trenton, Trenton Police Department Director Steve Wilson, and several unidentified police officers. The incident occurred just after midnight on February 12, 2022 when a Trenton Police Street Crimes Unit were involved in a Police shooting resulting from an encounter with Henderson in a motor vehicle. Jajuan Henderson, 29, of Burlington, was charged with four counts of aggravated assault (second degree) and one count each of resisting arrest (third degree) and obstruction (fourth degree). According to the NAACP spokespersons today at a press conference, it was stated several of those charges have since been dropped.
The spokespersons stated that a police shooting that has left a twenty-nine-year-old Black man paralyzed from the chest down after a far from routine “traffic stop.”
It was stated that Jajuan went to retrieve some iced tea from a car parallel parked outside of a home he was visiting. In the middle of the night, Jajuan sat lawfully parked in a car with the engine turned off when an unidentified dark car approached and parked next to him, boxing him in. A group of men, fully masked and in dark plain clothes, then jumped out of this mysterious vehicle and began yelling at Jajuan. As many others would do in this escalating situation, Jajuan used his cell phone to call for support. Despite being unarmed, nonthreatening, and minding his own business, these officers proceeded to use lethal force and shoot Jajuan in the neck according to NAACP Spokespersons.
See full NAACP Press Release for additional details.
Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office released this information on February 15, 2022:
The suspect wounded Saturday during an officer-involved shooting incident that occurred in Trenton has been charged with assault, resisting arrest and obstruction offenses, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.
Jajuan Henderson, 29, of Burlington, is charged with four counts of aggravated assault (second degree) and one count each of resisting arrest (third degree) and obstruction (fourth degree). There is no scheduled court appearance at this time.
At approximately 12:15 AM, Saturday February 12th, 2022, members of the Trenton Police Street Crimes Unit were involved in a Police shooting resulting from an encounter with Henderson in a motor vehicle. During this incident, Henderson was shot by one officer. Henderson was initially treated at Capital Health Regional Medical Center, Trenton, and has since been transferred to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, where he remains in stable condition. No officers appear to have been injured. All four officers have been placed on administrative leave, and the scene was processed on Saturday by the New Jersey State Police, both of which are standard protocols for incidents of this nature.
Previous MidJersey.News coverage of the shooting:
The scene on February 12, 2022
NAACP PRESS RELEASE:
TRENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT SHOOTS UNARMED BLACK MAN
March 17, 2022
Trenton, New Jersey — On Thursday March 17, 2022, Zeff Law Firm, LLC with the support of the NAACP New Jersey State Conference will be filing a lawsuit on behalf of Jajuan R. Henderson against the City of Trenton, Trenton Police Department Director Steve Wilson, and several unidentified police officers. This case involves yet another needless police shooting that has left a twenty-nine-year-old Black man paralyzed from the chest down after a far from routine “traffic stop.” Just after midnight on February 12, 2022 in Trenton, New Jersey, Jajuan went to retrieve some iced tea from a car parallel parked outside of a home he was visiting. In the middle of the night, Jajuan sat lawfully parked in a car with the engine turned off when an unidentified dark car approached and parked next to him, boxing him in. A group of men, fully masked and in dark plain clothes, then jumped out of this mysterious vehicle and began yelling at Jajuan. As many others would do in this escalating situation, Jajuan used his cell phone to call for support.
This group of men, appearing as any other group of dangerous criminals from a horror movie, turned out to be from the Trenton Police Department. A Black man sitting in a car at midnight while on a cell phone was all these unidentified officers needed to smash the driver’s side window. Despite being unarmed, nonthreatening, and minding his own business, these officers proceeded to use lethal force and shoot Jajuan in the neck. It is a miracle Jajuan survived, and he will have a long road to recovery, if at all, from the actions of the Trenton Police Department.
This incident and incidents like it are all too familiar. These officers—sworn to protect and serve all—rushed to execution. These officers devalued the life of another Black man. These officers pulled the trigger that nearly ended another Black man’s life. When Black parents give their children “the talk,” they must now add sitting in the car after midnight to the list of things Black men must avoid so they do not appear suspicious.
In a legal system that prioritizes maintaining the anonymity of the officers who attempted to kill him, Jajuan and his family bring this lawsuit demanding justice, change, and transparency. They hold their heads high, despite the Trenton Police Department’s best efforts, and they will not be swayed. Too many lives have been shattered; too many families destroyed. The time for waiting is over.
Jajuan and his family may be supported by donating to https://gofund.me/2861f872
Richard T. Smith
President
Greg L. Zeff, Esq.
Partner, Zeff Law Firm, LLC
ABOUT THE NAACP
Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities. You can learn more about The New Jersey State Conference NAACP, the numerous local units throughout the state, the advocacy efforts, and the annual convention at http://www.njscnaacp.org.
Today’s NAACP Press conference Photos and video by: Brian McCarthy, OnScene News
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