By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Mercer County announced that an investigation conducted by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force (MCHTF), the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Serious Collision Response Team (SCRT), and the Trenton Police Department has resulted in the arrest of a 17-year-old Lawrence male for the shooting death of Yony Emmanuel Cruz-Rodriguez.
Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri stated the juvenile is charged with one count of first-degree felony murder, one count of first-degree carjacking, two counts of second-degree aggravated assault, two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and weapons offenses.
Officials said he was arrested Monday without incident in Trenton by members of the U.S. Marshals New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, the MCHTF, and New Jersey State Police.
He will be held in the Middlesex County Juvenile Detention Center pending a court hearing, officials say, and his name is being withheld because he is a minor.
According to officials, on July 12, 2024, at approximately 10:20 p.m., Trenton Communications received several calls reporting an accident that involved an overturned vehicle in the area of Garfield and Farragut avenues.
Upon arrival, emergency personnel located a white Dodge Durango that was overturned, authorities say.
Officials say they found the victim, Yony Emmanuel Cruz-Rodriguez, 27, of Trenton, inside the Durango, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, as well as two minor children who were strapped into car seats and unharmed.
According to witnesses to the incident, Cruz-Rodriguez was standing at the open back of the Durango when an unidentified suspect entered the vehicle and attempted to drive away.
Officials stated that Cruz-Rodriguez attempted to climb in the rear of the Durango when witnesses indicated multiple gunshots were fired, the vehicle crashed into two parked cars a short distance away, and the suspect fled the scene.
Cruz-Rodriguez was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities say.
The investigation is ongoing, officials said.