A second suspect has been charged in connection with the November 2018 murder of Shaela Johnson, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.
Police charged Keith Hamilton, 21, of Trenton, with conspiracy, aggravated arson and tampering with evidence related to the November 27, 2018 shooting death of 19-year-old Shaela Johnson of Trenton.
According to authorities, Hamilton was served his complaints on Monday afternoon. He is being held at the Mercer County Correction Center on unrelated charges. The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to have him detained.
Officials say at approximately 2 p.m. on November 27, 2018, Trenton police responded to the 800 block of Stuyvesant Avenue on a report of shots fired.
Upon arrival, patrol units discovered the victim, later identified as Johnson, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to her head and body. Johnson was being loaded into the back of a pickup truck by several people. Officers followed the truck to the hospital where Johnson was pronounced dead a short time later.
The investigation revealed numerous .45 and .40 caliber shell casings in the intersection of Stuyvesant and Hoffman avenues, as well as on the sidewalk and in the entryway of a deli on Stuyvesant Avenue. Area surveillance footage showed two males exiting a Nissan Maxima and firing at the victim.
According to authorities, police located the vehicle engulfed in flames at the intersection of Howell and Franklin streets a few hours later.
Co-defendant Nazier Francios was ordered detained this morning by Judge Massi. Keith Hamilton’s detention hearing is scheduled for April 12th.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the MCHTF at (609) 989-6406. Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org.
Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.