By: Richard L. Smith
Mercer County authorities confirmed that a 20-year-old Manalapan man was fatally shot in Hopewell Township Saturday evening.
Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofi said at approximately 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 17, Hopewell Police responded to reports of shots fired at the Hopewell Valley Nature Preserve off of Harbourton-Woodsville Road.
Upon arrival, Prosecutor Onofi said officers located a white Mercedes C300 on a trail with a male slumped over in the driver’s seat.
EMS rushed the victim to Capital Health Regional Medical Center, where doctors pronounced him dead from a gunshot wound a short time later.
Prosecutor Onofi identified the victim as Mr. Phillip Urban of Manalapan.
Authorities say a preliminary investigation indicated Urban arranged to meet an acquaintance at the preserve and was shot at some point during the encounter.
The shooting is under investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Hopewell Township Police Department.
No arrests have been made.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the MCHTF at (609) 989-6406 or the HTPD at (609) 737-3100 ext. 5740. Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org.