By:Yuritza Arroyo
A Mercer County jury convicted a Trenton man this week for the August 9 double homicide on Centre Street in Trenton.
According to Mercer County authorities, on December 15, Trezion Thompson, 22, was convicted on all counts of the indictment, including two counts of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a handgun.
Trenton Police said, on August 9, 2020, at approximately 7:30 a.m., patrol officers responded to the area of 300 Centre Street for a shooting in progress.
Upon arrival, officers located the first victim, William Irizarry, 18, lying on the street in the area of 339 Centre Street.
Officials say Irizarry had sustained multiple gunshot wounds throughout his body and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The second victim, Julius Vargas, 18, was located inside a corner market with a gunshot wound.
Vargas was transported to the hospital for treatment, however, he was pronounced dead a short time later.
According to Detectives, they were able to locate a witness and numerous cameras in the area of the shooting.
One of the suspects' vehicles was identified as a black Chrysler 300 with Pennsylvania plates, along with two shooters, described as two black males wearing all-black clothing and black ski masks.
Detectives say the black Chrysler 300 was seen circling the area before the shooting, then parking and watching the victims for several minutes as they stood on the corner with others.
When the suspect’s vehicle drove up to the corner and stopped, two shooters, later identified as Thompson and Tyzir Hamilton, exited.
Both ran toward the victims, firing multiple gunshots.
According to officials, the driver, later identified as Darnell Davis, remained in the car. Hamilton and Thompson then chased after Irizarry as he ran into the street, continuing to shoot at him.
Officials say when Irizarry fell to the ground after suffering a gunshot wound, they both continued to shoot at him as he lay on the floor. Afterward, Hamilton and Thompson returned to the suspect vehicle, which fled.
Further investigation revealed that a black Chrysler 300 was stolen out of Bensalem, Pennsylvania, on August 3, 2020, and seen on an automated license plate reader camera in the area of Pennington Avenue and Reservoir Street in Trenton on August 4.
Detectives partially matched the suspect vehicle's license plate to that of the stolen vehicle out of Bensalem.
According to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, their Computer Crimes Unit conducted a physical search and forensic examination of Irizarry’s cell phone. A photo was found that Irizarry posted on his Facebook page disrespecting the H-Block gang.
Prosecutor's office said detectives continued to monitor multiple public social media posts throughout the month of August of numerous H-Block gang members talking about the murders of Irizarry and Vargas, taunting and threatening friends and family of the victims.
They also referenced Irizarry disrespecting the H-Block gang before being murdered.
According to authorities, On September 1, 2020, while on surveillance during another investigation, detectives observed the black Chrysler 300 with Pennsylvania plates driving in the area of Perry and Southard streets in Trenton.
Authorities say, while detectives were attempting to identify the occupants, the vehicle took off at a high rate of speed and a pursuit ensued. The pursuit ended on Reservoir Street near Frazier Street, where the car crashed into a telephone pole and the occupants escaped on foot.
Area surveillance footage shows the vehicle crashing into the pole.
Two black males exited the vehicle through the front passenger door, both wearing all black with their hoods up.
Police say the black males fled on Reservoir Street toward Frazier Street and subsequently made a right onto Frazier Street toward Pennington Avenue, then out of sight.
A search warrant was obtained for the vehicle and detectives located a fully loaded, 9mm Taurus handgun under the driver’s seat.
The handgun was submitted to the New Jersey State Police Laboratory and identified as one of the guns used in the murders of Irizarry and Vargas.
Further investigation revealed another witness who was able to identify Davis, Hamilton and Thompson as being responsible for the deaths of Irizarry and Vargas.
Thompson is scheduled to be sentenced on March 2, 2023. He faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Hamilton, 21, is scheduled for trial in January 2023. Davis, 21, previously pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter and is pending sentencing.