Police have identified a man who was found Wednesday shot and killed in an alley, and they also arrested a city man in connection with the murder of 23-year-old Naquan Ellis.
Around 7 a.m. Wednesday, police found a man suffering from gunshot wounds in an alley in the 400 block of Cuyler Avenue. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, and he was identified Thursday as 23-year-old Juan Carlos Castillo, of Honduras.
Eight hours prior to finding Castillo’s body, police found Naquan Ellis lying in the parking lot of the North 25 Housing complex suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. They also found a female at that scene who sustained non-life-threatening gunshot wounds to the leg and hand. Both victims were then taken Capital Health Regional Medical Center, where Ellis was later pronounced dead.
Grady A. Blue III
Then, late Wednesday evening, police arrested Grady A. Blue III, and charged him with murder and weapons offenses in connection with Ellis’ death. Blue is being held at the Mercer County Correction Center on $1 million cash bail.
Police continue to search for suspects involved in Castillo’s murder. Anyone with information about the case 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.