Trenton weekend shooting: What we know so far

As of Monday afternoon, no arrests had been made.

Two Trenton residents were killed, and eight other people were wounded when multiple gunmen opened fire on a crowded block party in Trenton’s East Ward early Sunday, according to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.

The shooting happened shortly after midnight on the 100 block of Locust Street in the city’s Wilbur neighborhood. Investigators recovered more than 50 spent shell casings from a crime scene that stretched across the block.

No arrests had been made as of Monday afternoon. Authorities have not disclosed a possible motive or said whether any of the victims were specifically targeted.

Here is what we know so far.

Who was killed?

Authorities identified the two people killed as Anthony Howlett, 42, and Tyasiah West, 33. Both were Trenton residents.

Mayor Reed Gusciora said Howlett had been working to rebuild his life after returning home from being incarcerated and had recently been recognized for his commitment to reentry and positive change.

West, a mother of three, was remembered by friends on social media for her energy and sense of humor. One friend said that just days before her death, West spoke about wanting to continue her education. West posted frequently on social media and had written several times lamenting the gun violence in Trenton.

The two deaths bring Trenton’s homicide toll to eight this year. On Aug. 23, Maicol Eliezer Metzler Chic was shot during an attempted robbery as he walked home on Whittaker Avenue, according to authorities.

The Locust Street shooting was one of Trenton’s worst mass-casualty shootings since gunfire erupted at the Art All Night festival in June 2018. At Art All Night, 17 people were shot, and five others were injured during the ensuing chaos. A suspected gunman was shot and killed by police.

How many people were injured this weekend?

Eight people survived the Locust Street shooting.

Four have been treated and released from the hospital. Three men, ages 23, 29 and 32, remained hospitalized in critical condition Monday. A 42-year-old woman remained hospitalized in stable condition.

The injured victims included two women and six men ranging in age from 23 to 43.

Officials initially reported that 11 people had been shot, including the two people killed. The prosecutor’s office revised the total to 10 people on Monday.

What happened on Locust Street?

Trenton police were dispatched to the 100 block of Locust Street at approximately 12:23 a.m. Sunday after receiving reports of a shooting in progress.

About 100 people were attending a block party when multiple suspects approached the gathering and began firing into the crowd, according to the prosecutor’s office.

Responding officers found several wounded adults at the scene, who were then rushed by ambulance and private vehicles to Capital Health Regional Medical Center, a Level II trauma center.

Investigators found more than 50 spent shell casings across the block. Several vehicles were also struck by gunfire, according to the prosecutor’s office.

The Trenton Police Department’s Crime Scene Unit processed the scene. Ewing police officers helped control the crowd while detectives conducted an investigation.

Have any arrests been made?

No arrests have been announced.

Detectives with the Mercer County Homicide Task Force are reviewing surveillance footage and trying to identify witnesses who may have seen the shooting or recorded what happened.

Authorities have not said how many shooters were involved, what kinds of firearms were used or whether the shooting was tied to a dispute at the party. They also have not said whether Howlett, West or any of the surviving victims were intended targets.

Was the block party authorized?

Gusciora described the event as an unauthorized gathering on a residential street and estimated that about 200 people may have been present. The prosecutor’s office estimated the crowd to be about 100 people.

Trenton police knew about the gathering before the shooting, Police Director Steve Wilson told media outlets.

Wilson said officers were monitoring the crowd but were significantly outnumbered and had to wait for additional officers to arrive. An anonymous neighbor told reporters she saw two police cars drive past the crowd without stopping.

Gusciora said moving forward, the city plans to identify large unauthorized gatherings sooner, improve coordination among law enforcement agencies, and intervene before crowds become dangerous or unmanageable.

City officials plan to send street teams and community organizations into the Wilbur neighborhood to speak with residents, collect information and try to prevent retaliation, officials said.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill said she was briefed on the shooting and that Attorney General Jennifer Davenport remained in contact with local officials.

“I’m thinking of the families who lost loved ones, those who were injured, and the Trenton community,” Sherrill said.

How can people submit information about the shooting to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office?

Authorities are asking anyone with information, photographs, or cellphone video recorded immediately before or during the shooting to contact Mercer County Homicide Task Force Detective Jennifer Eyster at 609-789-7346.

Tips and videos can also be submitted through the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office’s anonymous tip system at mercercountyprosecutor.com/tips.

People who submit tips through the online system will remain anonymous unless they choose to share their contact information.