2 people killed in Trenton, New Jersey, mass shooting identified

Two people are dead and eight others wounded after a shooting in Trenton, New Jersey, early Sunday morning, according to police.

The shooting happened on the 100 block of Locust Street in the Wilbur section of East Trenton around 12:25 a.m., police said. 

At the scene, officers found several victims with gunshot wounds, police said.

Tyasiah West, 33, and 42-year-old Anthony Howlett died from their injuries, the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office said. West and Howlett were both from Trenton.

Eight other victims — two women and six men ranging in age from 23 to 43 — were wounded in the shooting.

Four of the people injured have been treated and released, the prosecutor's office said. Three men — ages 23. 29 and 32 — are hospitalized in critical condition, according to the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office. A 42-year-old woman injured in the shooting remains in stable condition at the hospital.

The investigation suggests multiple people walked up to a block party and started firing into a crowd of about 100 people. More than 50 spent shell casings were found at the scene, and multiple vehicles were struck by gunfire, the prosecutor's statement said.

Trenton shooting happened at "unauthorized" gathering, mayor says

The shooting happened at a "large, unauthorized adult gathering involving hundreds of people on a residential street," Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora said in a statement posted on Facebook. Officials plan to take steps to prevent gatherings like this and speak with neighbors in the city's 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 gathering because there were reports of a big crowd.

But some neighbors question why the gathering wasn't shut down earlier.

"I know for a fact when I was sitting out, two police cars rolled down the street like they were visiting somebody," a woman who wanted to remain anonymous said. "Just rolled right past the crowd."

Wilson said that when police are "significantly outnumbered," officers have to wait for help to get to the scene.

Gusciora also encouraged anyone who has information or videos related to the shooting to contact law enforcement.

One of the people who died was trying to turn his life around after being incarcerated and was recently recognized for his commitment to positive change, the mayor said.

"He was a community guy," one woman said. "He was the guy that helped with the youth. He was the guy that helped with talking to kids."

Another neighbor said they were listening to music and having fun when the shooting happened.

"I heard two shots first, then about 10 more after, then about 10 more after," a partygoer said. 

The man said he hid behind cars as the crowd of people scattered. 

"Everybody started running," he said. "Bodies on the sidewalk, street, everywhere."

The Mercer County Prosecutor's Office Homicide Task Force is investigating the shooting. A motive hasn't been determined and it's unclear what led to the shooting.

Mikie Sherrill, Trenton officials react to deadly shooting

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill said on social media she has been briefed on the shooting and Attorney Jennifer Davenport is in touch with local officials. 

"I'm thinking of the families who lost loved ones, those who were injured, and the Trenton community," she said in the post.   

Trenton Councilwoman at Large Jasi Mikae Edwards reiterated the mayor's message in a post on Facebook. "Right now, one of the most important things we can do as a community is HELP LAW ENFORCEMENT GET ANSWERS," she wrote.

Councilwoman at Large Crystal Feliciano said she is praying for the victims and their families and called the violence unacceptable.