Police investigate a homicide that occurred in an alley in the 100 block of Locust Street. September 13, 2015. (Penny Ray - Trentonian)
City rapper Unkle Lord, who was a founding member of Section Family Entertainment, was shot and killed Sunday morning.
Lord, whose legal name is Davae Dickson, 21, was gunned down around 11 a.m. Sunday. Prosecutors investigating the case said ShotSpotter detected gunfire and then police received an emergency 911 call reporting that gunshots were heard in the city’s East Ward.
Prosecutors say the shooting happened in the rear of the 100 block of Walnut Avenue, which is also known as Morton Alley. When police arrived on-scene, they found Dickson suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, and he later died at the hospital.
Dickson’s friends and colleagues describe him as a “jokester who could make anyone laugh.” People who knew him said they were surprised to hear that Dickson was murdered because “he’s not the type to be involved in trouble.” A man who says he produced music with Dickson for about four years said Dickson knew several street hustlers, but was not involved in the gang lifestyle.
Davae Dickson (contributed photo)
“He was rapping so that he wouldn't be in the streets,” the man who asked to remain anonymous said. “Music is all he wanted to do.”
Other people said Dickson was talented and had the potential to be a positive role model for the youth of the city.
“He was a fun dude to be around,” another man who asked to remain anonymous said. “He had his head on his shoulders and he knew what he wanted to do. He always had something positive going on, and he was someone who could’ve been a role model for the young people out here. It's a sad loss.”
Dickson’s colleagues say he was in the process of producing a new album that was expected to be released soon.
“The album is still in the making, but Lord had a lot of songs that he could pick from,” one of his colleagues said.
Police have not disclosed a motive for the killing, nor have they released a suspect description. Personnel from the Mercer County Homicide Task Force were canvassing the area of the shooting Sunday afternoon questioning witnesses.
A Locust Street resident said she and her family returned home from church and found that police were guarding several entry points to Morton Alley, which can be accessed from Locust, Monmouth, Chambers and Walnut. She described Locust Street as a “good neighborhood compared to the neighboring streets,” and said they were surprised to hear that a shooting happened there in broad daylight.
Meanwhile, a Monmouth Street resident said he feels the neighborhood is “safe as long as you mind your business.”
Anyone with information about Dickson’s murder is asked to call the Mercer County Homicide Task Force at (609) 989-6406 or contact the Trenton Police confidential tip line at (609) 989-3663. Individuals may also call the Trenton Crime Stoppers tip line at (609) 278-8477. Those wishing to text a tip can send a message labeledTCSTIPS to Trenton Crime Stoppers at 274637.