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 a Trenton man for the shooting death of a 17-year-old city resident.
Acting Mercer County Prosecutor Theresa L. Hilton stated that Keisan Simmons, 19, is charged with one count of first-degree murder, one count of second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and one count of second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.
He was arrested on Monday, September 30, in Morrisville, PA, by the U.S. Marshals New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force with assistance from the Morrisville Police Department, officials said.
According to officials, Simmons is being held at the Bucks County Correctional Facility, and the prosecutor’s office will file a motion to detain him pending trial.
Officials say at approximately 12:32 p.m. on September 22, 2024, Trenton police responded to the area of Parkside and Homan Avenues on a ShotSpotter activation.
Responding officers arrived on scene to discover the victim, later identified as Opium Leverette, 17, of Trenton, suffering from a gunshot wound to the back, authorities say.
Officials stated Leverette was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
The investigation is ongoing, officials said.