Trenton Man Found Guilty In August 2021 Shooting Death
Thursday, April 24, 2025, 6:30 A.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
TRENTON, NJ.- Last Thursday, following a trial in Mercer County Superior Court, a jury convicted a 40-year-old Trnton, New Jersey, man for the brazen shooting death of Daquan Basnight that occurred in the early morning hours of August 1, 2021, on a Trenton, New Jersey street.
According to Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey, on Thursday, April 17, 2025, the jury found Matthew Tanner, 40, of Trenton, guilty on all counts of the indictment, including 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 to Possess Weapons.
The jury also returned a finding that Tanner is eligible for an extended-term at sentencing due to his extensive criminal history as a persistent offender.
Conviction Stems From August 2021 Murder Investigation
The conviction stems from an investigation that was conducted by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department. During the investigation, Detectives uncovered that on July 31, 2021, members of the Trenton community were in the 800 Block of Stuyvesant Avenue in the City of Trenton, celebrating “Sha-Day,” an annual party in memory of a Trenton resident who was killed in 2013.
The party continued into the early morning hours of August 1, 2021, until members of the Trenton Police Department responded to the area just shortly before 12:30 a.m., for a ShotSpotter activation for multiple shots being fired and a man being struck by gunfire. Upon arrival at that time, Police Officers found Daquan Basnight lying motionless on the street, having succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds to his face and body. Mr. Basnight was subsequently pronounced deceased at the scene.
During the ensuing investigation, Detectives of the Mercer County Homicide Task Force canvassed the area and recovered 13 shell casings around Mr. Basnight’s body and video surveillance footage that captured portions of the shooting. The video footage showed that Mr. Basnight was ambushed from behind by a lone gunman who was hiding between 813 and 825 Stuyvesant Avenue.
The suspect then opened fire at Mr. Basnight, striking him multiple times and then fled the scene between 813 and 825 Stuyvesant Avenue toward Craft Alley, which runs directly behind the homes on the 800 Block of Stuyvesant Avenue.
The suspect was identified as a black male wearing a plain black T-shirt, black pants, and a light-colored strip of fabric between the back of the shirt and the pants. He also wore white reflective sneakers with a black tongue area. Just seven minutes prior to the shooting, the suspect identified as Tanner was identified by a Detective walkingto the murder location, wearing what appeared to be the same clothing depicted in the video footage.
On August 3, 2021, Tanner was formally charged with Mr. Basnight’s murder. An interview was conducted at the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.
Evidence and testimony presented at trial established that Tanner left the party at 835 Sruyvesant Avenue to shower and change a 112 Hoffman Avenue, he then returned to the party minutes before the shooting wearing an outfit matching the shooter. Tanner observed Mr. Basnight walking away from the party, at which time Tanner ambushed Mr. Basnight from behind and then fled back to the party location.
Following the jury returning their findings of guilt, Superior Court Judge Darlene J. Pereksta who presided over the four-week trial accepted the verdict and scheduled sentencing for June 27, 2025. At that time, Tanner faces spending the rest of his life in New Jersey State Prison.
