Police are investigating two homicides that occurred within an eight-hour span.
According to law enforcement, around 11 p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to the North 25 Housing Complex off of Calhoun Street to investigate a shooting in progress. Upon arrival, officers found two victims suffering from gunshot wounds. A female was struck in the leg and hand during that shooting, and a man was found in the parking lot suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest.
Both victims were taken to Capital Health Regional Medical Center, and police say the female is in stable condition. The male victim died at the hospital, though, and he has been identified as 23-year-old Naquan Ellis.
Firefighters clean the scene of a murder that occurred in an alley in the 400 block of Cuyler Avenue - July, 25, 2014. (Trentonian photo/Penny Ray).
Police found a second homicide victim around 7 a.m. Wednesday in an alley in the 400 block of Cuyler Avenue. That victim’s identity is being withheld pending family notification.
These killings brings this year’s murder toll to 19. And the months of April and June have been the deadliest thus far, with five victims killed in each of those months.
Anyone with information about either murder is asked to contact the Mercer County Homicide Task Force at (609) 989-6406, or use the Trenton police confidential tip line at (609) 989-3663. Tipsters may also call the Trenton Crime Stoppers tipline at (609) 278-8477. Those wishing to text a tip can send a message labeled TCSTIPS to Trenton Crime Stoppers at 274637.