September 7, 2023
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Hamilton Police reported that on Friday August 18, 2023, at approximately 9:02 p.m., Officers were dispatched to the area of South Olden Avenue and East Franklin Street on a report of shots fired. Upon arrival Officers located a victim who was shot several times on the 600 block of East Franklin Street. The suspect, who was described as a black male wearing all black, fled the scene towards South Olden Avenue. The victim, a 43-year-old male from Hamilton, was taken to Capital Health Fuld for treatment. His injuries were not life threatening, and he was treated and released. An investigation was conducted by Hamilton Police who obtained surveillance footage of the incident that showed the suspect ambush the victim shooting him several times including once at close range, and then robbing the victim of his money and cell phone. The suspect fled the area towards South Olden Avenue and was last seen walking down South Olden Avenue towards Trenton. Officers were able to recover evidential items and through video surveillance, identify the suspect as Michael Bagwell, 31, of Trenton. A warrant was signed against Bagwell and he was arrested in Trenton on Wednesday, September 6th by Hamilton
Police Detectives and the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit.
Bagwell was charged with Attempted Homicide, Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Possession of Weapon for Unlawful Purpose, and Possession of a High- Capacity Magazine. He was transported to the Mercer County Correctional Facility pending a detention hearing.
The Hamilton Police would like to thank the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, Trenton Police Department, and New Jersey State Police Crime Suppression Unit for their assistance in the investigation.
Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective James Rickey of the Hamilton Police Division Major Crimes Unit at (609) 689-5822 or the Hamilton Police Crime Tip Hotline at (609) 581-4008.
Michael Bagwell, 31, of Trenton. Bagwell was charged with Attempted Homicide, Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Possession of Weapon for Unlawful Purpose, and Possession of a High- Capacity Magazine. He was transported to the Mercer County Correctional Facility pending a detention hearing.