Day: April 12, 2022

Fire Quickly Knocked Down in Robbinsville; Arson Investigators Probe Cause of Fire

April 12, 2022

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–Around 6:53 p.m. the Robbinsville Police Department received multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting a fire in the 2300 block of Route 33. A Robbinsville police officer also reported seeing a column of smoke in the air and the Robbinsville Township Fire Department was dispatched. Mutual aid fire departments were also called to the scene from Hamilton, and others.

Upon arrival of the first fire apparatus, fire crews reported a well involved abandoned building on fire and used a deck gun to start knocking down the fire. Hamilton Township fire department arrived and assisted pulling two hand lines and helped set up a water supply.

Fire crews had the bulk of the fire knocked down within minutes but remained on scene for extensive overhaul and also for the fire investigation. Hope Fire Company of Allentown responded initially to the scene but was diverted to cover any additional calls. Other mutual aid departments not on scene were recalled en route.

Robbinsville Township Police closed Route 33 in both directions until the fire was brought under control and apparatus and fire hoses could be removed from the highway.

Arson investigators were called from the Mercer County Prosecutors Office, detectives from the Robbinsville Township Police Department, and the Robbinsville Township Fire Marshal’s Office was also on scene for the investigation. The fire was in an old abandoned 20×30 feet garage that was in a wooded area. PSE&G was called to the scene but did not find any electricity or gas to the building.

Currently the official cause of the fire is listed as “undetermined” but as the investigation continues that could change.

Information contained in the article is from on-scene reporting and radio reports. Once additional details become available the story will be updated and any corrections made.


Above photos by: Lea Keegan Harrison


Above video and photos by: Marcello Dellegrotti





Trenton Man Arrested for March Homicide on Camden Street

April 12, 2022

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–A Trenton man has been arrested and charged for last month’s shooting homicide that occurred in the area of Camden Street, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.

Leroy McKnight, 43, is charged with murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon and certain persons not to possess a weapon.  He was arrested in Trenton early Monday morning, April 11, by members of the U.S. Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force.  The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain McKnight pending trial.

The charges are the result of an investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department.   At approximately 6 p.m. on March 15, 2022, Trenton police responded to a shooting call in the first block of Camden Street. Upon arrival, officers were flagged down by multiple witnesses and directed to the victim’s location.  The victim, later identified as Albert L. Barnes, 46, of Trenton, was lying on the sidewalk suffering multiple gunshot wounds to the chest.  He was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center and pronounced dead a short time later.

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



Leroy McKnight, 43, is charged with murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon and certain persons not to possess a weapon.  He was arrested in Trenton early Monday morning, April 11, by members of the U.S. Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force.  The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain McKnight pending trial.


Names of the 2022 homicide victims in the City of Trenton:

  1. 2/15/2022 Antwone Barnes, 37, of Trenton, Stabbing
  2. 2/23/2022 Leonardo Fernandez, 32, of Trenton, Stabbing
  3. 3/01/2022 Shimon Nesmith Jr., 19, of Trenton, Shooting
  4. 3/03/2022 Helen Nelson, 73, of Trenton, Physical Assault
  5. 3/15/2022 Albert L. Barnes, 46, of Trenton, Shooting
  6. 3/25/2022 Sequoya Bacon-Jones, 9, of Trenton, Shooting
  7. 3/31/2022 Tahaad Goss, 16, of Trenton, Shooting *Under Investigation*
  8. 4/07/2022 Jaquir Queen, 26, of Willingboro, Shooting
  9. 4/09/2022 Leroy Davis, 31, of Trenton, Shooting

*Under investigation the official cause is unclear and has not been released yet.