Man killed on Home Avenue in Trenton was 22-year-old father

TRENTON — City police are still investigating the shooting that left one man dead Friday night.
Sidiq Howlen was gunned down in front of the Community Mini Market in the 100 block of Home Avenue. Police sources told The Trentonian, the shots that killed the 22-year-old were fired from a silver or possibly gray station wagon. According to the source there were several men who returned fire on the car that fled the area. The second man who was struck in the leg was a bystander.
A friend of the victim, who declined to give his name, said on Friday night that the 22-year-old was a family man and a good guy. The scene Friday night was intense as many residents gathered on their front steps to watch the investigation, some expressed anger that police had not removed Howlen’s body from the scene while others shook their heads and tried to deal with the situation as best they could.
It’s unclear as to what the motive was in the shooting and the incident remains under investigation.
On Saturday a makeshift memorial was hung next to the Mini Market in front of where Howlen was killed. The white sheet was covered in messages to the slain father by many paying their respects.

Residents in the area declined to comment on the death of Richardson. Calls placed to Police Director Ralph Rivera Jr. regarding the homicide were not immediately returned.
Howlen’s death marks the city’s seventh homicide since the beginning of the year.
Police ask that anyone with information regarding the homicide please call please call the Trenton Police confidential tipline at (609) 989-3663 or the Crimestoppers tipline at (609) 278-8477.
Those wishing to text a tip regarding the homicide can send a message labeled TCSTIPS to Trenton Crime Stoppers at 274637.