A Mercer County grand jury recently returned a four-count indictment charging Dwayne Capers with the June 2020 shooting death of 37-year-old Dontae Barnes in Trenton, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.
According to Prosecutor Onofri, Capers, 28, of Trenton, is charged with murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a handgun and certain persons not to possess a firearm.
Prosecutor Onofri said that at approximately 5:20 p.m. on June 2, 2020, police responded to a Shot Spotter activation in the area of Oakland Street and Hoffman Avenue.
According to Prosecutor Onofri, upon arrival, police located Barnes on the sidewalk suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
An initial canvas of the scene produced several shell casings and some clothing articles.
Prosecutor Onofri said that area video surveillance was reviewed, and footage was obtained, capturing the entire incident.
An investigative detention order was obtained requiring Capers to provide a DNA sample.
According to Prosecutor Onofri, results of a DNA analysis indicated Capers’ DNA profile was found on a tank top shirt recovered after Barnes’ shooting. Capers was arrested on December 23, 2021.