Two people are dead and eight others are wounded after a shooting at a block party in Trenton, New Jersey, early Sunday morning.
The shooting happened around 12:25 a.m. on the 100 block of Locust Street in the Wilbur section of East Trenton, according to police. Officers arriving at the scene found multiple victims with gunshot wounds. A 33-year-old woman and a 42-year-old man died from their injuries, the Mercer County prosecutor said. Eight other victims, two men and six women ranging in age from 23 to 43, were treated and stabilized.
The investigation indicates that multiple people walked up to the gathering and opened fire into a crowd of about 100. More than 50 spent shell casings were found at the scene. Multiple vehicles were struck by gunfire.
Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora described the event as a "large, unauthorized adult gathering involving hundreds of people on a residential street." He said officials plan to take steps to prevent similar gatherings and will speak with neighbors in the Wilbur section. "People should not be having unauthorized parties," Gusciora said. "I can understand if they wanted to have a block party. They need to involve the police."
Trenton Police Director Steve Wilson said officers were already at the scene before the shooting because of reports of a large crowd. But some neighbors questioned why the gathering was not shut down sooner. A woman who asked to remain anonymous said she watched two police cars pass through without stopping the crowd. Wilson said that when police are "significantly outnumbered," they have to wait for reinforcements.
Witnesses described the moment the shots began. "I heard two shots first, then about 10 more after, then about 10 more after," one partygoer who asked to remain anonymous said. He said he took cover behind cars as the crowd scattered. "Everybody started running," he said. "Bodies on the sidewalk, street, everywhere."
One of the two people killed had recently been recognized by the mayor for his commitment to positive change after a period of incarceration. A neighbor who asked to remain anonymous described him as someone who worked with young people in the community. "He was a community guy," the neighbor said. "He was the guy that helped with the youth. He was the guy that helped with talking to kids."
Gusciora urged anyone with information or video of the shooting to contact law enforcement. The Mercer County Prosecutor's Office Homicide Task Force is leading the investigation. No motive has been determined.
