TRENTON (MERCER)– The Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department are investigating multiple shooting incidents overnight that left two victims dead.
Just before midnight, police responded to the 400 block of Stuyvesant Avenue for a Shot Spotter activation. Upon arrival, an adult male with multiple gunshot wounds to the chest was located and transported to the hospital. He was pronounced dead a few hours later. A second male shooting victim was taken to the hospital by personal vehicle. Multiple shell casings were located at the scene in the 400 block of Stuyvesant Avenue and two occupied houses were struck by gunfire, however, no occupants were injured.
In a separate incident, at approximately 12:50 a.m. on October 3, police responded to the intersection of Roebling Avenue and Washington Street for shots fired. An adult male victim was located in the 800 block of Roebling Avenue with no pulse and transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
No arrests have been made in either homicide. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Mercer County Homicide Task Force at (609) 989-6406. Tips can also be emailed to [email protected].
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–As New Jersey continues to scale up its statewide vaccination program, the Murphy Administration today reminded New Jerseyans that the COVID-19 vaccine will be available without cost sharing barriers. Pursuant to the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Program Provider Agreement, all providers must vaccinate individuals regardless of whether they have health insurance coverage or what type of coverage they have, and are prohibited from balance billing or otherwise charging vaccine recipients.
“As we continue to roll out our robust statewide vaccination program, we want to make it clear to New Jerseyans that no one will have to pay for the vaccine itself, regardless of whether or not they have health insurance coverage,” said Governor Murphy. “We strongly encourage everyone to join hundreds of thousands of their fellow New Jerseyans in preregistering to receive the vaccine and taking another step toward ending this pandemic.”
“As residents begin to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, they should know that the vaccination will be provided with no out-of-pocket costs,” said Banking and Insurance Commissioner Marlene Caride. “We issued guidance reminding insurance companies of this requirement as the state works to protect the health and safety of our residents in response to the global pandemic.”
“The Department of Health is thankful to the many providers who have signed agreements with the State to administer vaccines in communities throughout New Jersey,” said Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. “This has been a complex process of linking all types of providers to deliver vaccines to New Jersey residents without cost to those residents. The goal of vaccinating 70% of the adult population in New Jersey is going to be met through these partnerships and through the thousands of New Jersey residents who recognize that vaccines matter.”
“NJ FamilyCare recipients can get the COVID vaccine at no cost and at any vaccination site,” said Human Services Deputy Commissioner Sarah Adelman. “That means zero co-pays for the vaccine and its administration, no matter the provider, so we urge everyone to sign up and get the vaccine when they are eligible. We are all eager to end this pandemic and save lives. For NJ FamilyCare recipients, you can protect yourself at no cost.”
“As vaccines become available to more residents, all New Jerseyans should know that they will be able to access the COVID-19 vaccine from participating providers and that insurance coverage or cost sharing should not be barriers,” said Shabnam Salih,Director of the Office of Health Care Affordability and Transparency. “I encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity for the well-being of themselves, their families and their communities and to help prevent the further loss of human life.”
Coverage Information
If you are covered by a private health plan (whether obtained directly through the individual market or through your employer): All group and individual comprehensive health insurance plans must provide coverage for COVID-19 immunization and its administration. During the federal public health emergency, these plans must provide this coverage without cost sharing, regardless of whether the provider is in or out of network. For more information, please contact your insurance provider or visit https://www.nj.gov/dobi/bulletins/blt21_01.pdf.
If you are covered by Medicare Part B: The vaccine and the administration of that vaccine will be covered without coinsurance or deductible.
If you are covered by a Medicare Advantage Plan: Beneficiary copayment, coinsurance and deductible are waived for COVID-19 vaccine and its administration for calendar years 2020 and 2021.
If you are covered by SHBP or SEHBP: The vaccine and the administration of that vaccine will be covered without coinsurance or deductible for in or out of network providers.
If you are covered by NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid or CHIP): The vaccine and the administration of that vaccine will be covered without copays for in or out of network providers.
If you are uninsured: health care providers that participate in the Center for Disease Control (CDC) COVID-19 Vaccination Program must agree to administer a COVID-19 immunization regardless of an individual’s ability to pay or health insurance coverage status, and may not seek reimbursement from the immunization recipient. For information on sites that are providing the vaccine, please visit: https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/healthcare-worker-covid-19-vaccine-locations. This site will be updated as more locations are added.
For more information, please visit: https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/vaccine
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Around 2:00 p.m. a crash between two vehicles left one overturned and another with heavy front end damage on Sloan Avenue near the intersection with St. Clair Avenue in front of Taco Bell and the Clover Shopping Center. Hamilton Police, Hamilton Fire Department and RWJ EMS responded to the scene. Initially there was reported entrapment with injuries but upon arrival of the fire department occupants were out walking around. There appeared to be no life-threatening injuries and it was unclear if anyone was transported to the hospital from the scene. Traffic was tied up on Sloan Avenue and Quakerbridge Road until the accident was cleared from the roadway. Hamilton Township Police is investigating the crash.
September 20, 2022
EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)—Around 2:50 p.m. it was reported that a roofer fell off a second story roof to the ground and had severe injures on Nettleton Drive section of Twin Rivers. East Windsor Police, East Windsor EMS and Capital Health Paramedics responded to the scene. The person was transported to the Trauma Center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton for treatment. No additional details or information about the person’s condition is available at this time.
Update Here:
September 20, 2022
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–According to Trenton Public Information Officer Timothy J. Carol, just prior to 8:00 p.m. Trenton Police received a Shot Spotter Activation for seven rounds in the area of 6 Howard Street. Officers arrived and located a male shot in the chest. The victim was sitting in a car at the intersection of Handcock and Howard Streets when the shooter walked up and fired into the car hitting the victim in the chest. The Victim was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center by Trenton Emergency Medical Services (TEMS) and Capital Health Paramedics and was pronounced dead a short time later. The Trenton Shooting Response Team and the Mercer County Homicide Task Force were notified and responded to the scene. This is all the information available at this time, additional details will be added when they become available.
There have been 15 reported homicides in the City of Trenton in 2022.
As of September 20, 2022 there have been 15 reported homicides in the City of Trenton for the year 2022.
Names of the 2022 homicide victims in the City of Trenton:
2/15/2022 Antwone Barnes, 37, of Trenton, Stabbing
2/23/2022 Leonardo Fernandez, 32, of Trenton, Stabbing
3/01/2022 Shimon Nesmith Jr., 19, of Trenton, Shooting
3/03/2022 Helen Nelson, 73, of Trenton, Physical Assault
3/15/2022 Albert L. Barnes, 46, of Trenton, Shooting
3/25/2022 Sequoya Bacon-Jones, 9, of Trenton, Shooting
3/31/2022 Tahaad Goss, 16, of Trenton, Shooting
4/07/2022 Jaquir Queen, 26, of Willingboro, Shooting
4/09/2022 Leroy Davis, 31, of Trenton, Shooting
5/01/2022 Jamir McNeil, 25 of Trenton, Shooting
5/22/2022 Ali Abdullah, 25, of Trenton, Shooting
6/01/2022 Dreiby Osorio, 16, of Trenton, Stabbing
9/02/2022 Rasheed Barlow, 35, of Trenton, Shooting
9/11/2022 Chron Jenks, 34, of Ewing, Shooting
9/20/2022 Keenan Anthony Trower, 31, of Hamilton Shooting
September 20, 2022
UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–According to a witness a truck traveling south on Sharon Station Road between Herbert and County Road 524 struck a pole and snapped it at the base causing wires to crash to the ground and land on the roadway. The witness stated the truck continued on and did not stop. Hope Fire Company/Upper Freehold Township Firefighters responded just before noon for the wires down. New Jersey State Police provided traffic control until barricades could be brought from Upper Freehold and Monmouth County to close the road. A representative from Jersey Central Power and Light was on scene assessing the situation. New Jersey State Police was looking for the truck that struck the utility pole.
No further details are available at this time.
September 20, 2022
HAMILTON – ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–Flag sponsorships are now available for the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton’s popular Flags for Heroes display at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton.
Residents and businesses can honor their personal heroes by sponsoring a 3’x5’ American flag to be flown from Nov. 1-18 on the hospital grounds along White Horse-Hamilton Square Road and Klockner Road.
Flag sponsorships, starting at $60 for individuals and $300 for businesses, can be purchased from the Rotary Club’s website, www.RHRotary.org. The deadline for sponsorships is Oct. 20.
Each donor will receive a digital certificate, a keepsake flag medallion with their name, message, and hero’s name, and acknowledgement on the display banner at RWJUH/Hamilton and on the Rotary Club’s website.
Net proceeds from Flags for Heroes will be donated to non-profit organizations in Mercer County, including the Mercer County Military Action Council, which will help finance an active U.S. military member’s return to their family during military leave.
The third annual Flags for Heroes display will fill the prominent hospital field with an expected 300 flags honoring family members, teachers, veterans, active military, first responders and others who have made a mark in a person’s life. A Community Field Dedication and Veterans Day ceremony will be held on the grounds on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 11 am to noon.
“This year’s Flags for Heroes event is especially important because our Club is celebrating its 30th anniversary of service to the community,” said Kalpana Patel, president of the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton. “We hope this patriotic flag display will help inspire those who pass by or visit.”
“We are inviting local individuals and businesses to sponsor an American flag so that we may continue our efforts to assist those in need,” said Bill Coleman, chairperson of the Rotary Club’s Flag For Heroes committee. “This is a great opportunity for people to honor their hero and to make everyone aware in a moving display.”
For more information about the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton and its charitable initiatives, email [email protected] or visit www.RHRotary.org.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Jasiana Martinez was located in Trenton on Saturday, May 30, 2020 in good health. The Hamilton Police Division thanks those who publicized and shared this missing person case.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–A back to school event was held in the Trenton Thunder Outfield Parking Lot this morning. Backpacks and school supplies were handed out for children returning to school soon. COVID-19 vaccines were also available for those who were seeking vaccinations. The even was sponsored by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, Senator Shirley Turner, Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes, Mercer County Sheriff Jack Kemler, Capital Health, Capital City Community Coalition, Penn Medicine and Trenton Thunder.
JACKSON, NJ (OCEAN)–On Tuesday June 29, 2021 detectives assigned to the department’s Special Enforcement Unit concluded an investigation into a report of narcotics distribution with the arrest of a male suspect.
At approximately 10:45 pm, detectives conducted a motor vehicle stop on South New Prospect Road with a male who was operating a 2009 Mercedes Benz. During the investigation 100 bags of heroin packaged for sale were recovered and detectives placed Matthew Vandenberg, age 36 of Farmingdale NJ under arrest. Cash in excess of $250.00 was also seized and the vehicle was impounded pending forfeiture proceedings.
Mr. Vandenberg was processed and later lodged in the Ocean County Jail. He was charged with possession of heroin, possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, possession of a controlled dangerous substance while operating a motor vehicle and other motor vehicle violations.
Residents wishing to report suspected narcotics activity or suspicious activity are asked to contact police headquarters at 732-928-1111 or though the department’s StopIt app online.
– The media and the public are reminded that any persons arrested or charged with any offenses or crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
EAST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)– Mayor Janice S. Mironov and Council Members invite all area residents to join with Township officials on Saturday, July 2 for the East Windsor Township Independence Day Celebration, at Etra Lake Park. The rain date is Saturday, July 9.
The Independence Day celebration free entertainment begins at 6 P.M. with Jerry Rife’s Rhythm Kings Dixieland Jazz Band, a 6-piece band from the Delaware Valley area, best known for its traditional jazz sound. They will be followed at 7:45 P.M. by the Trenton Brass Quintet Plus One, a 6-piece ensemble from Central Jersey performing Americana and a variety of popular melodies. The spectacular fireworks display will commence immediately following the musical presentations, at approximately 9:30 P.M.
Mayor Mironov stated that, “Our Nation’s Independence Day is a great occasion for our residents to join together in celebration and recognition of our blessings of liberty and freedom.” She urged everyone to, “bring your blankets and chairs, and use the barbecue grills for a night of free fun at beautiful Etra Lake Park.” There also will be vendors present for purchase of refreshments. This free event is made possible through the generous contributions of many area businesses.
Mayor Mironov announced that the East Windsor Township summer program of free events at Etra Lake Park will continue on Saturday, July 16 at 7 P.M. with “Family-Night-In-The-Park”, featuring a large screen viewing of the newly released Disney computer-animated fantasy comedy film “Encanto” about Colombian teenager Maribel Madrigal who faces the frustration of being the only member of her magical family without special powers. The movie will be preceded by games, crafts, DJ Music and dancing.
On Sunday, July 24 at 6 P.M. “Wooden Ships Band”, a Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young tribute band reproduces the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young songbook and will take attendees back in time to the era of the 1970’s. All time Crosby, Stills song favorites highlighting the show will include Suite Judy Blue Eyes, Teach Your Children, Helplessly Hoping, Woodstock and Déjà Vu.
On Sunday, August 7 at 6 P.M., “Gypsy”, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band will perform with Stevie Nicks vocals and visuals that capture Nicks’ stage presence. “Gypsy” performs the greatest hits from Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac, including Stand Back, Rhiannon, Gold Dust Woman, Don’t Stop and so many more.
On Sunday, August 21 at 6 P.M., “B-Street Band” will perform, which is the top requested Bruce Springsteen tribute band on the circuit performing over 200 shows per year throughout the country. “The Boss” himself has made an appearance to see the show, underscoring that the performance will be second-to-none, with favorite hits such as Cadillac Ranch, My Home Town, Glory Days, Hungry Heart and The River.
For information in the event of inclement weather for any of these events, call the East Windsor Information Hotline at (609) 443-4000 ext. 400 after 1 P.M. on the day of the event. If there is inclement weather for the concerts (July 24, August 7, August 21), the program will be moved indoors to the East Windsor Regional School District Hightstown High School auditorium.
East Windsor Township thanks the following community businesses whose generous contributions have underwritten and made this summer entertainment possible: Platinum Sponsors – Aurobindo, Novitium Pharma and QTS Data Centers; Diamond Supporters – Hovione; Gold Sponsors – The Woods at East Windsor, Comcast and One Mile Storage; Silver Sponsors – Continental Auto Repair, LLC, Fordoz Pharma, IXP Corporation, McCaffrey’s Market, John Mayorek and Taco Bell; Bronze Sponsors – Centrastate Healthcare Systems and Moe’s Southwest Grill.
Also visit #WHATSMYNAME FOUNDATION here for more information
#WHATSMYNAME FOUNDATION Safety Tips here
WASHINGTON, DC–Bipartisan legislation named in honor of Samantha “Sami” Josephson—a senior at the University of South Carolina and a Robbinsville High School, NJ graduate, who was kidnapped and brutally murdered in 2019 by a predator pretending to be her Uber driver—was passed today in the House of Representatives.
Sami’s Law—HR 4686—passed in a unanimous voice vote.
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) the bills prime sponsor, said that among its provisions, Sami’s Law will “require ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft to deploy a verifiable electronic access system to match drivers with passengers before the ride begins to enhance safety for the ride-hailing public.
“I am especially grateful to the Speaker for her strong personal commitment to this cause and for bringing Sami’s Law to the floor today and who—like leader Kevin McCarthy and others—welcomed Marci and Seymour with deep respect, kindness and total empathy for their loss. See Smith’s floor remarks
Chief cosponsor Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) said, “Our Smith/Suozzi bill works to provide consumers with a level of safety before entering a vehicle… As Members of Congress, it is our duty to do all we can do protect our constituents. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass this commonsense, bipartisan legislation in short order.”
Sami’s parents, Marci and Seymour said “It’s bittersweet. It’s been emotional. We’d much rather have Samantha sitting with us here on the couch, but to create a law so nobody else gets hurt is a good thing. It’s a huge step to get it through the House. Now we need to get the Senate to act on it hopefully soon.”
Speaker Nancy Pelosi(D-CA) said “After the heartbreaking murder of their daughter Samantha, Seymour and Marci Josephson turned their agony into courageous action to promote rideshare safety and education and to prevent future tragedies. Passing Sami’s Law is a fitting tribute to her memory, and it is critical to ensuring that rideshare companies have protections in place for the safety and well-being of all their passengers. I applaud the relentless advocacy of Congressman Chris Smith, along with Congressman Tom Suozzi, for crafting this important bill and ensuring its strong, bipartisan support on the House Floor.”
Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA): said: “Sami should be with us today. She should be alongside her loving parents Seymour and Marci, and she should have graduated from the University of South Carolina and gone on to attend law school like she had been planning. But her life was cut short because of the horrific actions of a predator. While we cannot bring Sami back, here is the promise we make to her family and her loved ones: this Congress will take action to not only memorialize her life, but we will also implement changes needed to keep innocent people safer when they use ride share apps in the future. The passage of Sami’s Law will establish additional layers of security, including requiring digital methods to establish driver/rider identities before the ride starts, so that we can prevent these types of crimes from happening. I am grateful for the leadership of Rep. Chris Smith, who has been committed to making sure Sami’s Law becomes a reality, and to the efforts of the ridesharing companies for their willingness to work together on this important initiative. Today Sami’s Law is on its way to the Senate, one step closer to being signed into law.”
Smith said “given the pain due to the unimageable loss of their daughter—Seymour and Marci have been heroic, tenacious and extraordinarily persuasive. They have been a critically important part of the often-intense negotiations with multiple stakeholders including Uber and Lyft.’
Both Uber and Lyft praised passage of Sami’s Law.
Danielle Burr, Head of Uber Federal Affairs: “The tragic death of Samantha Josephson left the rideshare community heartbroken and devastated. Today’s passage of ‘Sami’s Law’ is another step in the ongoing work to help improve safety on rideshare by leveraging education and technology. We’re grateful for the leadership of Congressman Chris Smith, the support and collaboration of the Josephson Family and the commitment of congressional leadership on both sides of the aisle to pass ‘Sami’s Law.’
In a statement Lyft said”The Josephson family and Congressman Smith have worked tirelessly to champion Sami’s Law. Their determination has led to today’s passage in the US House of Representatives. We have and will continue to prioritize safety within the Lyft community.”
The National Federation of the Blind, which was instrumental in writing the provision in the bill to ensure that there is a way for a passenger to use a non-visual arrangement to verify the authenticity of the TNC driver, also strongly supports the bill.
“We thank and commend Representative Smith for working closely with us in crafting this legislation, which will provide a fully nonvisual method for blind and deafblind passengers to identify and verify rideshare trips. We urge the Senate to swiftly follow the House in passing Sami’s Law,” said Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind:
Sami’s Law not only sets safety requirements for today’s technology and a process for successor technology performance standards, it also:
establishes a 15-member advisory council that reports to the Secretary of Transportation—SAMI’s Council—comprised of federal agency and public stakeholders to advance safety standards in the rideshare industry;
makes it unlawful to sell, or offer for sale, ride-share signage making it more difficult for imposters like Sami’s murderer to pose as a driver;
requires a GAO report on the incidence of assault and abuse of both passengers and drivers;
requires that the GAO also examine the nature and specifics of “background” checks conducted by companies and the varying standards set by States regarding background checks.
Please see the below for complete statements of those identified above.
“Both Marci and I and Sydney are extremely happy and proud to work with Chris Smith, Speak Pelosi and Leader McCarthy, Chairman DeFazio, Graves and Suozzi,” said Seymour Josephson, speaking for his wife and other daughter, Sydney. “We really appreciate the teamwork, having Chris Smith leading the charge and bringing in Speaker Pelosi and Leader McCarthy and Rep. DeFazio, Ranking Member Graves and others. It’s been a whirlwind of ups and downs. It’s bittersweet. It’s been emotional. We’d much rather have Samantha sitting with us here on the couch, but to create a law so nobody else gets hurt is a good thing. It’s a huge step to get it through the House. Now we need to get the Senate to act on it hopefully soon.”
Chris Smith (R-NJ), the bill’s author, said: “Notwithstanding their excruciating agony over the loss of their precious daughter, Sami’s parents—Seymour and Marci—began pushing for comprehensive new protection policies at Uber and Lyft and legislation to ensure to the maximum extent possible that no one else ever loses her or his life or gets assaulted by a rideshare driver or a predator who pretends to be one. For over a year—especially given the pain due to the unimageable loss of their daughter—Seymour and Marci have been heroic, tenacious and extraordinarily persuasive. They have been a critically important part of the often-intense negotiations with multiple stakeholders including Uber and Lyft.
I am especially grateful to the Speaker for her strong personal commitment to this cause and for bringing Sami’s Law to the floor today and who—like leader Kevin McCarthy and others—welcomed Marci and Seymour with deep respect, kindness and total empathy for their loss.
Congressman Tom Suozzi, (D-NY): “Last year, Sami Josephson called for an Uber, entered the wrong car, and was murdered. We face a tremendous challenge trying to determine what policies are necessary to ensure that companies like Uber and Lyft provide safe, efficient, and cost-effective solutions to consumers and employees,” said Rep. Tom Suozzi. “Our Smith/Suozzi bill works to provide consumers with a level of safety before entering a vehicle. I would like to thank Congressman Smith for his leadership on this issue. As Members of Congress, it is our duty to do all we can do protect our constituents. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass this commonsense, bipartisan legislation in short order.”
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA): “After the heartbreaking murder of their daughter Samantha, Seymour and Marci Josephson turned their agony into courageous action to promote rideshare safety and education and to prevent future tragedies. Passing Sami’s Law is a fitting tribute to her memory, and it is critical to ensuring that rideshare companies have protections in place for the safety and well-being of all their passengers. I applaud the relentless advocacy of Congressman Chris Smith, along with Congressman Tom Suozzi, for crafting this important bill and ensuring its strong, bipartisan support on the House Floor.”
Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA): “Sami should be with us today. She should be alongside her loving parents Seymour and Marci, and she should have graduated from the University of South Carolina and gone on to attend law school like she had been planning. But her life was cut short because of the horrific actions of a predator. While we cannot bring Sami back, here is the promise we make to her family and her loved ones: this Congress will take action to not only memorialize her life, but we will also implement changes needed to keep innocent people safer when they use ride share apps in the future. The passage of Sami’s Law will establish additional layers of security, including requiring digital methods to establish driver/rider identities before the ride starts, so that we can prevent these types of crimes from happening. I am grateful for the leadership of Rep. Chris Smith, who has been committed to making sure Sami’s Law becomes a reality, and to the efforts of the ridesharing companies for their willingness to work together on this important initiative. Today Sami’s Law is on its way to the Senate, one step closer to being signed into law.”
Said Danielle Burr, Head of Uber Federal Affairs: “The tragic death of Samantha Josephson left the rideshare community heartbroken and devastated. Today’s passage of ‘Sami’s Law’ is another step in the ongoing work to help improve safety on rideshare by leveraging education and technology. We’re grateful for the leadership of Congressman Chris Smith, the support and collaboration of the Josephson Family and the commitment of congressional leadership on both sides of the aisle to pass ‘Sami’s Law.’ At Uber, our work on safety is never done and we remain committed to continue doing our part to help keep riders and drivers safe while using the platform.”
Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind: “We thank and commend Representative Smith for working closely with us in crafting this legislation, which will provide a fully nonvisual method for blind and deafblind passengers to identify and verify rideshare trips. We urge the Senate to swiftly follow the House in passing Sami’s Law.”
Dan Katz, Senior Director, Public Policy, Lyft: “The Josephson family and Congressman Smith have worked tirelessly to champion Sami’s Law. Their determination has led to today’s passage in the US House of Representatives. We have and will continue to prioritize safety within the Lyft community.”
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–A Trenton man has been arrested and charged for a December 11, 2021 shooting homicide that occurred on Chambers Street in Trenton, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.
Yancy Young, 33, is charged with murder and multiple weapon offenses. He was served his complaints last week at the Mercer County Correction Center where he is being held on an unrelated incident. The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain Young pending trial.
The charges are the result of an investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department. On December 11, 2021, at approximately 1 a.m., Trenton police received a report of a person shot in front of 931 Chambers Street. Upon arrival, officers located the victim, later identified as 25-year-old Michael Degrasse Jr., located on the side of Championship Bar suffering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Degrasse 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.
Person Killed in Shooting Near Championship Bar and Music in Trenton
Charges Include Murder of 32-Year-Old Man, Attempted Murder of Police Officer
June 16, 2020
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal today announced first-degree criminal charges against 16 alleged members and associates of the “Get Money Boys” or “GMB,” a violent street gang linked to multiple shootings, including the December 2019 murder of Michael Barnes, a 32-year-old Trenton man, and the February 2020 attempted murder of a police officer. Fifteen GMB members and associates, including its alleged leader, Charles Willis, 27, are charged with first-degree racketeering, and 10 GMB members, including Willis, are charged with either murder, attempted murder, or conspiracy to commit murder. As alleged in court documents, Willis and GMB engaged in violent criminal conduct in furtherance of their heroin and cocaine distribution activities in the area of the Oakland Street Apartments in Trenton. GMB Members have been charged in connection with the following shootings:
Sept. 17, 2019 Shooting. Shaiquan Hearns, 21, is charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting a man in the leg in the early morning hours of Sept. 17, 2019 on Lamberton Street in Trenton.
Dec. 27, 2019 Murder of Michael Barnes. Michael Barnes, 32, was shot in the face on Commonwealth Avenue in Trenton on the night of Dec. 27. Davion Fenderson, 25, is charged with the murder, and Willis, Hearns, Bobby Hood, 28, and Jayshawn Fisher, 26, are charged with conspiracy to commit murder.
Feb. 12, 2020 Shooting of Civilians and Attempted Murder of Police Officer. On Feb. 12, GMB members allegedly shot at two men, causing them to crash their car. When a police officer pursued the GMB members, they allegedly fired at him. He was not hit. Hearns, Dion Battle, 28, and Yahonatan Salter, 28 were charged on Feb. 12 with attempted murder in the shooting involving the officer. Those men and Willis are now charged with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the shooting involving the two civilian victims.
May 1, 2020 Shooting. On the night of May 1, 2020, five GMB members allegedly opened fire on a group of individuals on Sanhican Drive in Trenton, wounding two men. Willis, Hood, David Williams, 28, Shawn Anderson, 21, and Zaire Jackson, 24, are charged with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder in that shooting.
“Gang violence has taken the lives of too many young people in Trenton, and the Get Money Boys have been a major contributor to that violence,” said Attorney General Grewal. “We will continue doing everything we can to make our capital city safe for its residents.” “But we also know that arrests alone won’t stop the cycle of gang involvement, violence, and incarceration,” continued Attorney General Grewal. “That is why we plan to work closely with the community in the coming months to develop programs that have the power to turn young people away from the false glamor of gang life and show them a healthy and positive path forward.” “Through this collaborative investigation, we charged 16 alleged members and associates of this violent gang with first-degree charges carrying lengthy prison sentences,” said Director Veronica Allende of the Division of Criminal Justice. “Each time we take down a dangerous gang like this one, we make Trenton safer for residents and for the law enforcement officers who work heroically every day to protect them.” “These individuals have threatened Trenton’s hard working, law abiding citizens with their guns and drugs for too long. They pose a danger to the entire community, not just gang members, and I am extremely proud of the collective efforts and hard work of all of the agencies involved in this investigation,” Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri said. “My office will continue to work with state and local law enforcement to arrest and prosecute those assaulting our cities with acts of violence. We also intend to work with Attorney General Grewal and the community to cultivate programs and solutions that will give our youth population an alternative to gangs, drugs and violence.” “Street gangs like the Get Money Boys tear apart communities through their drug trade, violence, and murder, and by actively recruiting impressionable young people,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “Our involvement will not stop with these arrests. We will continue to work cooperatively with our partners in the community to develop programs that present positive alternatives for the youth of our capital city.” The complaint charging Willis with conspiracy to murder Michael Barnes alleges that in 2019, Willis and other GMB members began targeting Barnes and that Willis threatened Barnes’ life on social media. It further alleges that Willis ordered GMB members to actively hunt for Barnes and kill him. It is alleged that Fenderson committed the murder at Willis’s direction on Dec. 27, 2019. When Willis was arrested at his home on June 2, 2020 in Willingboro with his girlfriend, DayshaM. Brown, 24, detectives seized a defaced firearm – which allegedly was within access of a toddler who lives in the home – and an illegal large capacity magazine. Willis and Brown were each charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, fourth-degree possession of a defaced firearm, and fourth-degree possession of a large capacity magazine. Willis also was charged with possession of a weapon as a convicted felon. Additional details about the Feb. 12 attempted murder of a police officer and related charges are provided in the press release at this link: https://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases20/pr20200213b.html
In that incident, a Hamilton Township police officer assigned to the New Jersey State Police Crime Suppression Central Unit Task Force observed a shooting in progress in the area of West State Street and Parkside Avenue in Trenton. The officer, who was operating an unmarked vehicle, followed the suspect vehicle to the area of the Oakland Park Apartments on Coolidge Avenue, where he was fired upon by the occupants of the vehicle. Three guns were seized from defendants during the course of this investigation. On May 31, 2020, detectives executed a search warrant for a storage unit in Hamilton, Mercer County, rented by defendant Briana Blue, 22, where they seized 254 bricks of heroin, consisting of approximately 12,700 individual doses packaged in wax folds that were stamped with the brands “Dope Dick” and “Fruit Loops.” On the same date, detectives executed a search warrant for a car rented by defendant Tre Whetstone, 26, and seized 130 bricks of heroin, or approximately 6,500 doses, bearing the same stamps. The following 16 alleged GMB members and associates have been charged as indicated: Charles M. Willis, 27, of Willingboro, N.J.
First-degree Racketeering
First- Degree Conspiracy to Commit Murder – Michael Barnes
First- Degree Conspiracy to Commit Murder – Michael Barnes
First-Degree Murder of Michael Barnes
Frederick Eustsey, 45, of Ewing, N.J.
First-degree Racketeering
Second-Degree Conspiracy to Distribute CDS
John Colvin, 23, of Trenton, N.J.
First-degree Racketeering
Second-Degree Conspiracy to Distribute CDS
David Williams, 28, of Camden, N.J.
First-degree Racketeering
First-degree Attempted Murder – May 1 Shooting
First-Degree Conspiracy to Commit Murder – May 1 Shooting
Second Degree Aggravated Assault
Second-Degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose
Second-Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon
Second-Degree Possession of Weapon as Convicted Felon
Second- Degree Solicitation, Recruitment of Juveniles to Join a Street Gang
Zaire Jackson, 25, of Trenton, N.J.
First-degree Racketeering
First-degree Attempted Murder – May 1 Shooting
First-Degree Conspiracy to Commit Murder – May 1 Shooting
Second Degree Aggravated Assault
Second-Degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose
Second-Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon
Shawn Anderson, 21, of Trenton, N.J.
First-degree Racketeering
First-degree Attempted Murder – May 1 Shooting
First-Degree Conspiracy to Commit Murder – May 1 Shooting
Second Degree Aggravated Assault
Second-Degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose
Second-Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon
Juvenile Male, 17, of Trenton, N.J.
First-degree Racketeering
First-Degree Conspiracy to Commit Murder – May 1 Shooting
Jayshawn Fisher, 26, of Trenton, N.J.
First- Degree Conspiracy to Commit Murder – Michael Barnes
Briana Blue, 22, of Princeton, N.J.
First-degree Racketeering
Second-Degree Conspiracy to Distribute CDS
First-Degree Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS
Willis, Hearns, Salter, Battle, Colvin, and Fisher were previously in jail and were served with the charges outlined above while in jail. The other 10 defendants were arrested since June 5. Attorney General Grewal commended all of the prosecutors, detectives, investigators and officers who participated in the investigation for the Division of Criminal Justice, Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey State Police, Trenton Police Department, Trenton Shooting Response Team, and New Jersey Department of Corrections. Deputy Attorneys General Cassandra Montalto and Mohammad Mahmood are the lead prosecutors for the Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau, under the supervision of Bureau Chief Lauren Scarpa Yfantis and Deputy Bureau Chief Erik Daab. The detectives who conducted the investigation for the Division of Criminal Justice are Sgt. Brian Woolston, Sgt. Kevin Gannon, Detective Scott Caponi, Detective Zachary Grey, and other members of the Gangs & Organized Crime Central Squad, under the supervision of Lt. Brian Bruton, Deputy Chief of Detectives Frederic Moore, and Chief of Detectives Weldon Powell. Attorney General Grewal also thanked the following agencies that assisted with arrests and execution of search warrants: Hamilton Township Police Department, Ewing Township Police Department, West Windsor Police Department, Falls Township Police Department (Pennsylvania), U.S. Marshals Service New Jersey/New York Regional Fugitive Task Force, and Mercer County Tactical Response Team. First-degree murder carries a sentence of life in state prison, including 30 years of parole ineligibility, while the first-degree charges of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder carry a sentence of 10 to 30 years in state prison. The other first-degree charges carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison and fine of up to $200,000. The racketeering charges carry a period of parole ineligibility equal to 85 percent of the sentence imposed. Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Possession of a weapon as a convicted felon carries a mandatory period of parole ineligibility of five years, and unlawful possession of a weapon carries a mandatory period of parole ineligibility equal to one-third to one-half of the sentence imposed or three years, whichever is greater. Third-degree crimes carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000. The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Defense AttorneysFor Tre Whetstone: John Furlong, Esq., Furlong & Krasny, Ewing, N.J.For Shawn Anderson: Arun Lavine, Esq., Lawrenceville, N.J.For Shaiquan Hearns: Mark Fury, Esq., Mount Holly, N.J.For Dion Battle: Rukiya Blackwell, Esq., Mount Holly, N.J. A number of defendants are currently represented by the Public Defender’s Office.
Missing Teen Located
File Photo: Chris Smith (R-NJ), the bill’s author
