Two Trenton residents were killed and eight other people were injured when gunmen opened fire at a crowd that had gathered for a block party in the 100 block of Locust Street in Trenton on Aug. 30, according to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.
Police were dispatched to Locust Street in response to a shooting in progress at 12:23 a.m., the Prosecutor’s Office said. A crowd of about 100 people had gathered for the block party when several gunmen approached and began firing into the crowd.
Ten people suffered gunshot wounds, including two who died. Several vehicles also were struck by gunfire. More than 50 shell casings were found at the scene.
Victims Anthony Howlett, 42, and Tyasiah West, 33, were pronounced dead. Eight other victims, who ranged in age from 23 years old to 43 years old, were injured. All victims were taken to Capital Health Regional Medical Center for treatment by ambulance and private vehicle, the Prosecutor’s Office said.
Four of the victims have been treated and released. Three men, ages 23, 29 and 32, remain hospitalized in critical condition. A fourth victim, who was identified as a 42-year-old woman, was reported in stable condition at the hospital.
The Trenton Police Department’s crime scene unit processed the scene on Locust Street. The Ewing Township Police Department sent officers to help with crowd control following the shooting.
The incident is under investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department.
Detectives from the homicide task force are reviewing surveillance video and attempting to find helpful witnesses. No arrests have been made.
Police are seeking help and information from the community. Anyone with information is asked to contact Mercer County Homicide Task Force Detective Jennifer Eyster at 609-789-7346. Tips and cellphone video taken immediately before or after the shooting can be submitted anonymously online at mercercountyprosecutor.com/tips.
All tips remain anonymous. No one – including law enforcement – can identify the person who submitted an anonymous tip through the secure Mercer County Prosecutor Office’s tip system, unless the tipster wants to provide contact information.
