October 26, 2023
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NJ — Joint Base McGuire-DIX-Lakehurst has give the ALL CLEAR signal at the base and things are returning to normal operations.
JBMDL is no longer under lockdown condition. We received notification of an active shooter on the joint base. After investigating the incident, it was found that there was no active shooter. We appreciate the public’s concern and thank you for your continued support.
UPDATE UPDATE UPDATEALL CLEARJBMDL IS NO LONGER UNDER A LOCKDOWN CONDITION, WE HAVE CONFIRMED ALL MEMBERS OF JBMDL ARE SAFE.
We appreciate the public’s continued support
UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE ALL CLEAR JBMDL IS NO LONGER UNDER A LOCKDOWN CONDITION, WE HAVE CONFIRMED ALL MEMBERS OF JBMDL ARE SAFE.
We appreciate the public’s continued support
— JointBaseMDL (@jointbasemdl) October 26, 2023
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NJ — A message was posted to the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Facebook page reporting active shooter on the base at Building 5321. No other information is available at this time. Check Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst for additional details.
MESSAGE POSTED TO FACEBOOK ACCOUNT:
LOCKDOWN LOCKDOWN LOCKDOWN
ACTIVE SHOOTER REPORTED ON JBMDL
BLDG 5231. ALL PERSONNEL ARE TO LOCKDOWN UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
ALL PERSONNEL OUTDOORS SHOULD TAKE COVER.
DIVIDS File photo by: (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Azaria E. Foster)
DIVIDS File photo by: (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Azaria E. Foster)
LOCKDOWN LOCKDOWN LOCKDOWN ACTIVE SHOOTER REPORTED ON JBMDL BLDG 5231. ALL PERSONNEL ARE TO LOCKDOWN UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
ALL PERSONNEL OUTDOORS SHOULD TAKE COVER.
— JointBaseMDL (@jointbasemdl) October 26, 2023
October 26, 2023
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–A Mercer County, New Jersey, man was convicted of carjacking, brandishing a firearm during the carjacking, two attempted carjackings resulting in serious bodily injury, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Cedrick Hodges, 40, of Trenton, New Jersey, was convicted on Oct. 24, 2023, of all five counts of a second superseding indictment following a seven-day trial before U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi in Trenton federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On the evening of Dec. 16, 2017, Hodges entered the rear passenger seat of a Toyota Camry and pointed a loaded sawed-off shotgun at the driver, demanding that she operate the vehicle while Hodges entered the rear seat. The driver exited the vehicle and ran, in response to which Hodges discharged the shotgun towards her as she fled.
Moments later, Hodges approached a Honda Accord occupied by a driver and one passenger. Hodges pointed the shotgun at the driver’s window demanding that the driver and passenger exit the vehicle. When the driver refused, and instead began to drive the vehicle away from Hodges, Hodges discharged the firearm into the driver’s side window, striking the driver in his torso, causing permanent and serious bodily injury.
Hodges fled the area and several minutes later approached a man who was entering a Nissan Rogue. Hodges demanded that the man hand Hodges the keys to the Nissan Rogue. When the man refused, Hodges brandished the shotgun and discharged the firearm at the man, causing permanent and serious bodily injury.
The count of carjacking carries a maximum potential sentence of 15 years in prison. The counts of attempted carjacking resulting in serious bodily injury each carry a maximum potential sentence of 25 years in prison. The count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence is punishable by a mandatory minimum of seven years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison, which must run consecutively to any term of imprisonment imposed on any other charges. The possession of firearm by a convicted felon carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Sentencing has not yet been scheduled.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas Mahoney; the Hamilton Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Kenneth R. DeBoskey; the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Superintendent Col. Patrick J. Callahan; the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri, the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of U.S. Marshal Juan Mattos, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller, with the investigation leading to the guilty verdict.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric Suggs and Tracey Agnew of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.
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Defense counsel: Henry E. Klingeman Esq. and Ernesto Cerimele Esq., Morristown, New Jersey
Photo by EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA on Pexels.com
October 10, 2023
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri announced today that an investigation conducted by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department has resulted in the arrest of a Bridgeton Township man for the stabbing death of Corey Jones.
James B. Draper, 46, is charged with one count of first-degree murder and three weapons offenses, including certain persons not to possess a weapon. He was detained without incident in Bridgeton on Wednesday, October 25. The prosecutor’s office will file a motion to detain Draper pending trial.
Just before 9 p.m. on Thursday, October 19, 2023, Trenton police responded to the area of Cross Street and Kersey Alley in response to a call for an unresponsive male. Upon arrival, officers located a male victim on the ground in the sidewalk area suffering from numerous stab wounds. The victim, identified as Corey Jones, 40, of Trenton, was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact MCHTF Detective Michael Cipriano at (609) 575-2235 or OIC William Jett Jr. at (609) 331-5010. Information can also be emailed to [email protected].
Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
James B. Draper, 46, is charged with one count of first-degree murder and three weapons offenses, including certain persons not to possess a weapon. He was detained without incident in Bridgeton on Wednesday, October 25. The prosecutor’s office will file a motion to detain Draper pending trial.
Fatal Stabbing Under Investigation In Trenton
Names of the 2023 Trenton Homicide Victims
- 1/16/2023 Donnell Williams, 29, Trenton, Shooting.
- 2/12/2023 Stephanie Vil, 34, of Burlington, Shooting.
- 2/16/2023 Khalil Glanton, 23, Trenton, Stabbing.
- 3/24/2023 Harold Rosario, 19, Trenton, Shooting.
- 3/26/2023 Nyeisha Saunders, 41, Trenton, Shooting.
- 4/09/2023 Jhosse Tolentino, 23, Trenton, Shooting
- 4/12/2023 Jared Anderson, Trenton, Shooting (died May 29)
- 4/14/2023 Daniel Garvin, 46, Trenton, Shooting
- 4/20/2023 Ralph Conquest, 43, of Lawrence, Shooting
- 5/14/2023 Roger Martinez-Rodriguez, 27, Trenton, Stabbing
- 5/14/2023 Justin Reed, 24, of Ewing, Shooting (died May 22)
- 5/26/2023 Sherief Treadwell, 36, Trenton, Shooting
- 6/09/2023 Markell Biggs, 20, Trenton, Shooting
- 6/11/2023 Shaquan Brown, 23, Trenton, Shooting
- 6/15/2023 James Junior Journigan, 36, Shooting
- 6/15/2023 Louis Washington, 38, Trenton, Shooting, (died June 17)
- 6/19/2023 Ernest Denard, 61, Stabbing
- 6/22/2023 Guillermo Sanchez, Shooting
- 7/01/2023 Precious Saunders, 32, of Trenton
- 8/23/2023 Taquan Foxworth, 29, of Trenton, Shooting 8/19
- 9/02/2023 Ronald Taylor, 40, of Trenton, Shooting
- 9/16/2023 Balil Lewis, 37, of Trenton, Shooting
- 10/19/2023 Corey Jones, 40, of Trenton, Stabbing
September 28, 2023 still under investigation if determined to be a homicide the list will be updated.
October 26, 2023
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–Every Robbinsville High School student must complete at least 30 hours of volunteerism in order to graduate. In working to complete this requirement, Adhviklal Thoppe found it difficult to keep track of the countless volunteer opportunities flooding his inbox.
About a year ago, he decided to do something about it: creating a handy website with all the volunteer information. Wingman (http://rville-wingman.com/) launched with the new school year.
“The idea struck me when I was looking for some volunteering events to do,” Adhviklal said. “It was difficult for me to find and keep track of multiple events along with all the other emails. I started working on the project once I realized that I could create an easy platform to help others stay organized with their volunteering events.”
The 17-year-old senior spent this summer creating his pet project.
“I had enough time to bring my idea to life,” said Adhviklal, who also works at a local Code Ninjas, which teaches computer coding to youth.
Connecting both teachers and students, the Wingman website aims to be a go-to platform for sharing educational events that offer volunteer opportunities. According to the website, “teachers create, students explore and together, we learn to make a difference.”
Instead of posting volunteer events through email, Wingman organizes every opportunity in one spot.
“Before, it was difficult to keep track of where the events were and how to find them – it wasn’t very organized,” the student said. “I saw it wasn’t really working – at least not for me. So, I created a website where all the events are consolidated. All you have to do is go there, and it’s all been listed out.”
In a way, Adhviklal created his own unofficial volunteer opportunity. It also supported his particular interests – and his soon-to-be alma mater. While the website may not benefit his specific needs for much longer, the senior knows it will help future students.
“I just enjoy computer science and I like to code,” he said. “When I saw that this problem was happening with volunteer events, I decided to take it up and create this project. I also wanted to give back to the school district because I’ve been here since fifth grade. I felt like it was a good way to give back.”
Anyone can go to the website, but only Robbinsville school administrators or those with knowledge of a security password can post volunteer opportunities.
Adhviklal said his school counselor, JoAnne Walker, and Robbinsville High School Assistant Principal Nicole Rossi-Mumpower have been very supportive. After showing the concept to Superintendent Brian J. Betze – who also was in favor – it was a go.
With the website up and running, administrators and teachers are in the process of loading events for the students to consider.
When not coding, Adhviklal can be found practicing Taekwondo, where he is a second-degree black belt. He also plays the guitar, creates 3D modeling and produces music for game development.
Next up for Adhviklal is finishing college applications. With plans for a major in computer science, he hopes to attend a great institution and also attain a graduate degree.
In order to make volunteering more accessible, Adhviklal Thoppe created Wingman.com, a website where volunteer opportunities for students are posted in one site.
Adhviklal Thoppe and Robbinsville Superintendent of Schools Brian J. Betze met to discuss Adhviklal’s pet project, a student volunteer website.
Photos and story provided.