Two and a half months of relative calm was shattered early Sunday morning after a shooting left one man dead.
According to Casey DeBlasio, spokeswoman for the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, police were called to the area of Mulberry Street and Nottingham Way on report of a person shot around 1:19 a.m.
When police arrived they found the victim, 22-year-old Rodney Sutphin of Trenton, dead behind the wheel of a still running minivan, DeBlasio said.
No suspects have been identified and the murder remains under investigation. The New Jersey State Police Crime Scene Unit is processing the van.
Rodney Sutphin
The 22-year-old’s death is the first to hit the city since July 30 when Tyshawn Goodman and George Jamison were gunned down in separate incidents. Those incidents were believed to have been robberies gone awry.
The city saw a record number of murders last year, and in the first seven months of this year saw 23 murders.
Police have not yet determined a motive in Sunday’s slaying.
Rodney Sutphin was arrested in September along with Lawrence Sutphin, who threatened to shoot up the Trentonian newsroom after his photo was placed on the cover in connection with the Galilee Baptist Church shooting. The pair were arrested following an alleged drug deal out of a minivan in the 800 block of Greenwood Avenue. Both were charged with possession of crack cocaine and related drug distribution charges. The relationship between the Sutphins is unknown by police.
Anyone who may have information 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.