4 Killed, 3 Hurt In Trenton Violence
TRENTON, N.J. (CBS/AP) — Four people were shot to death and three others were injured during a series of violent incidents in New Jersey's capital city over the weekend.
The first shooting in Trenton came early Saturday, when a 20-year-old city man was killed while walking on a city street.
The next occurred around 11:10 p.m. Saturday, when police received reports of shots fired and pedestrians being struck by a car in the same area. Officers found 52-year-old Barry Church shot to death on the front steps of a home on the 1100 block of East State Street and a 22-year-old man, identified by authorities as Hassan Allen, of Trenton, fatally shot inside a sport utility vehicle.
The SUV had struck multiple parked cars and two female pedestrians before it overturned. Authorities say 23-year-old Carmen Wright, of Philadelphia, was hospitalized in critical condition, while a 22-year-old Trenton woman was there in stable condition. Police say it appears Wright was thrown many feet in the air from the initial impact.
While that investigation was ongoing, an 18-year-old Trenton resident sought treatment at a hospital for a gunshot wound to the lower leg. Investigators believe this shooting is connected to the other incident on Saturday night.
Authorities say it appears that Church was an innocent bystander, who leaves behind family and friends in complete shock.
"I mean, it really, really just seemed like he just going somewhere and he'd be back. But I know he ain't coming back, I know he's not," said Joann Morris, the victim's fiancée.
"Karma, karma always returns. It evens itself out," said Dion Morris, the victim's stepson.
The final incident was reported around 8:15 a.m. Sunday, when a 21-year-old man who apparently had been stabbed in the stomach sought treatment at a hospital. The victim, identified by authorities as Abraham Jeditoe, of Hamilton Township, died there a short time later.
All of the incidents remain under investigation.
No arrests have been made at this time.
The three homicides bring the city's total to 27 for the year, mostly a result of shootings. The city had 24 slayings in 2012, and is nearing its all-time high of 31, set in 2005.
