Yesterday, 17-Year-Old Lawrence Boy Arrested & Charged With The Shooting Death Of Father With His 2 Kids In Car

Tuesday, July 30, 2024, 12:00 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

TRENTON, NJ.- Following a joint investigation by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and the Trenton Police Department, with the assistance of the United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, a 17-year-old Lawrence, New Jersey, boy was taken into custody and charged with the horrific shooting death of a 27-year-old Trenton father of two young children, who were present and witnessed the death of their father, Yony Emmanuel Cruz-Rodriguez, in the evening hours of July 12, 2024.

     According to Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri, the teen has been formally charged with one count of first-degree Felony Murder; one count of first-degree Carjacking; two counts of second-degree Aggravated Assault; two counts of third-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child; second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon; and second-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful.

     The teen was apprehended on Monday without incident in Trenton, New Jersey, by members of the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, Detectives of the Mercer County Homicide Task Force, and the New Jersey State Police. After being processed on the charges, the teen was remanded to the custody of the Middlesex County Juvenile Detention Center pending future court proceedings.

     The arrest and charges stem from an investigation that began on Friday, July 12, 2024, when, shortly before 10:30 p.m., members of the Trenton Police Department responded to multiple 911 Emergency Calls reporting an accident involving an overturned vehicle in the area of Garfield and Farragut Avenues in the City of Trenton.

     Upon arrival, Police Officers found an overturned white Dodge Durango in the roadway. Inside the vehicle, Police Officers found Mr. Cruz-Rodriguez suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, as well as two young children who were strapped in their car seats and were not injured in the shooting or the vehicle overturning. 

     According to eyewitnesses, Mr. Cruz-Rodriguez was standing at the open back of the Dodge Durango when an unidentified suspect entered the vehicle and attempted to drive away. At that time, Mr. Cruz-Rodriguez attempted to climb into the rear of the Durango when witnesses heard multiple gunshots being fired. The vehicle then crashed into two parked cars a short distance away. After crashing the Durango, the suspect fled the scene on foot.

     Despite life-saving efforts by First Responders, Mr. Cruz-Rodriguez succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene by Medical Personnel.

     The investigation continues to remain active and ongoing. Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is urged to contact Detective Chris Pullen of the Mercer County Homicide Task Force at (848) 992-6436 or Sergeant William Jett, Jr. at (609) 331-5010. Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org.

“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”