By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Mercer County announced that an investigation conducted by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force (MCHTF) and the Trenton Police Department has resulted in the arrest of four individuals in the July shooting death of Capriest Ruiz.
Acting Mercer County Prosecutor Theresa L. Hilton stated Dajon Bethea, 26, of Trenton, Shyheim McMillon, 27, of Trenton, Jamir Black, 26, of Trenton, and Shatwan Liverman, 27, of Suffolk, Virginia, are each charged with conspiracy to commit murder.
Additionally, Bethea and McMillon each face a charge of accomplice liability murder, officials said.
According to officials, Bethea, Black, and Liverman were taken into custody Thursday morning, August 1, in locations in Trenton, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, the MCHTF, the Mercer County Tactical Response Team, the Monmouth County SWAT Team, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, the Trenton Police Department and the New Jersey State Parole Board.
At the time of his arrest, officials say, Bethea was in possession of a defaced firearm and suspected heroin; additional charges are forthcoming.
McMillion was taken into custody Thursday morning, August 1, in a hotel room in Miami Beach, Florida, by members of the U.S. Marshals Service and the Miami Beach Police Department, officials said.
Authorities say at approximately 1:35 p.m. on July 2, Trenton police responded to the 200 block of Euclid Avenue on a ShotSpotter activation.
Upon arrival, officials say, officers located 23-year-old Ruiz, of Camden, on the sidewalk, suffering from a gunshot wound to his head.
He was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center, where he died the next day, according to officials.
According to complaints in the case, on the afternoon of the shooting, Ruiz was riding a bicycle through Trenton.
The four defendants followed the victim for several city blocks in a white Jeep, and while on Euclid Avenue, gunshots were fired, and Ruiz was shot in the head, officials stated.
Bethea’s girlfriend, Patricia Washington, 29, was also arrested Thursday morning in relation to the case and charged with false reporting, obstruction, and hindering apprehension, authorities say. 
The investigation revealed that about 30 minutes after the shooting, Washington reported to law enforcement that her white Jeep was stolen in an attempt to hinder Bethea’s apprehension after he committed a crime, according to officials.
Officials stated the investigation is ongoing.