Tyrone King
Tyrone “Big Face” King was known by friends and family as a “good dude.”
Tragically — like a far too common theme recently in the capital city — King was the victim of gun violence this past weekend.
The 51-year-old Ewing resident was fatally shot Sunday outside a store on the 900 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard about 20 minutes before noon. King was pronounced dead a short time later at Capital Health Regional Medical Center, Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office spokeswoman Casey DeBlasio said Monday in an email.
Police say the MLK shooting appears to be an isolated incident not connected to the shootings in South Trenton that claimed two lives on Friday night and Saturday morning.
“At this point, it appears the victim was involved in a confrontation with another individual who was inside a vehicle,” Lt. Stephen Varn said about the Sunday murder. “Shots were fired from the vehicle and the suspect drove away.”
King, who grew up in North Trenton, was remembered on social media as a “humble person” and a “very good friend.”
King’s death capped an extremely violent weekend in Trenton.
The deadly weekend began with the murder of 43-year-old Anthony Flowers, who was gunned down on Lamberton Street Friday night. Early Saturday morning, 40-year-old Shawn Harrell was murdered near the intersection of Power and Bridge streets.
Residents expressed sadness and shock over the bloodshed.
“It’s a damn shame people will be hostages in their own homes,” one resident wrote on Facebook. “You can’t walk the streets without watching your back.”
Another man wrote on social media that the city has “really gone to s**t.”
So far this year, 20 people have been killed in Trenton, which includes two hit-and-run deaths.
The Mercer County Homicide Task Force is investigating all three murders. No arrests have been made at this time. Anyone with information about the slayings is asked to call (609) 989-6406. Or call the Trenton Police Confidential Tip Line at (609) 989-3663.
Trentonian staff writer Penny Ray contributed to this report