Man Charged For Fatally Gunning Down Man Saturday Night In Trenton

Monday, December 30, 2024, 7:15 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

TRENTON, NJ.- A 29-year-old Trenton, New Jersey, man was taken into custody and jailed after being charged in connection with fatally gunning down a 44-year-old man late Saturday Night inside his car in the City of Trenton.

     Following an investigation by Detectives of the Mercer County Homicide Task Force, the Trenton Shooting Response Team, and the New Jersey State Police Criminal Enterprise Section, Najir Tripp, 29, of Trenton, New Jersey, was formally charged with one count of first-degree Murder; second-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose; second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon; and second-degree Certain Persons Not Possess Weapons.

Tripp Remanded To The Mercer County Jail

     Tripp was taken into custody on Sunday, December 29, 2024, during the execution of a court-authorized search warrant at his Trenton residence. Tripp was processed on the charges and was remanded to the Mercer County Correctional Center pending future court proceedings in Mercer County Superior Court in Trenton, New Jersey. The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office has filed a motion to detain Tripp pending trial.

     The charges stem from an investigation that began when, at 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 27, 2024, members of the Trenton Police Department responded to the 300 Block of West Hanover Avenue on a multi-ShotSpotter activation for more than twenty gunshots being fired.

Police Find Man Shot Multiple Times Inside Car

     Upon arrival, Police Officers found a man, later identified as Michael Jones, 44, of Trenton, New Jersey, in the driver’s seat of a Black Mercedes sedan, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Mr. Jones was immediately transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased the following day.

     During the ensuing investigation, Detectives were able to identify Tripp as the shooter and the individual responsible for the murder of Mr. Jones.

     The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Ryan Minnick of the Mercer County Homicide Task Force at (609) 989-6406 or Sergeant William Jett, Jr. at (609) 331-5010. Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org.