Police are investigating a shooting that claimed the life of a city man early Sunday morning.
Taquan McNeil, 25, of Trenton (Mercer County Prosecutor's Office Photo)
According to Trenton Police Lt. Stephen Varn the incident occurred in the city's West Ward around 2:20 a.m. Varn said that officers were detailed to the 100 block of Boudinot Street on report of a male shot. Upon police arrival they found the victim, identified as Taquan McNeil, 25, lying on the sidewalk in front of 131 Boudinot suffering from gunshot wounds. Varn said the 25-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.
McNeil has had a checkered past with city law enforcement recently. In June of 2014 he was arrested by the fugitive task force after he punched two police officers in an Oakland Street apartment stairwell to escape arrest on June 20 following a domestic dispute. In that incident police allege McNeil climbed a ladder toward the roof access ladder, but was thwarted by a locked door. Police said he placed a silver .40 caliber handgun on the ledge of the roof access and then climbed back down the ladder and charged the officers. It was in the struggle that followed McNeil is alleged to have punched the officers and evaded capture. The handgun was reportedly stolen out of Willingboro, police said last year. McNeil was arrested in the 100 block of North Hermitage Avenue by the U.S. Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force on June 24. He was charged with a number of offenses related to the incident.
He was also one of three people arrested driving in a car stolen out of Delaware last October, he received charges of receiving stolen property, driving while suspended and failure to signal.
Authorities said they have not yet identified a suspect or a motive in the McNeil's killing.
The case is currently being investigated by the Homicide Task Force. Anyone with information about the killing is asked to call (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.