2 Men Sentenced To 60 Years For Mercer Double Homicide: Prosecutor

MERCER COUNTY, NJ – Two Trenton men were sentenced to 60 years in prison without parole for a 2020 double homicide, Mercer County prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri said Friday.

Treizon Thompson, 23, and Tyzir Hamilton, 22, were sentenced by Judge Peter E. Warshaw in separate appearances on Jan. 4. Both men were sentenced to two 30-year sentences with a mandatory 30-year period of parole ineligibility.

Warshaw granted the state’s request to run the sentences consecutively for a total of 60 years in state prison, Onofri said.

Thompson and Hamilton were found guilty by Mercer County juries 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.

On August 9, 2020, around 7:30 a.m., patrol officers with the Trenton Police Department responded to the area of 300 Centre Street for a shooting in progress.

On arrival, officers found the first victim, William Irizarry, 18, lying on the street in the area of 339 Centre Street. He had sustained multiple gunshot wounds throughout his body and was pronounced dead at the scene, Onofri said.

The second victim,Julius Vargas, 18, was found inside a corner market with a gunshot wound. Vargas was transported to the hospital for treatment, however, succumbed to his injuries a short time later, according to Onofri.

Detectives identified a suspect vehicle as a black Chrysler 300 with PA plates, along with two shooters, described as two black males wearing all black clothing and black ski masks.

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 vehicle drove up to the corner and stopped, two shooters, later identified as Thompson and Hamilton, exited and ran toward the victims, firing multiple gunshots, authorities said.

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. When Irizarry fell to the ground after suffering a gunshot wound, they both continued to shoot at him as he lay on the ground, Onofri said.

Further investigation revealed that a black Chrysler 300 was stolen out of Bensalem, PA , on Aug. 3, 2020, and detectives were able to partially match the license plate of the suspect vehicle to that of the stolen vehicle.

According to authorities, Irizarry posted on his Facebook page disrespecting the H-Block gang. Detectives monitored multiple public social media posts throughout August and numerous H-Block gang members talked about the murders of Irizarry and Vargas, taunting and threatening friends and family of the victims, Onofri said. They also referenced Irizarry disrespecting the H-Block gang before to being murdered.

On Sept.1, 2020, detectives saw the black Chrysler 300 with Pennsylvania plates driving in the area of Perry and Southard streets in Trenton. While detectives were attempting to identify the occupants, the vehicle took off in high speed and a pursuit ensued.

The chase came to an end where the vehicle crashed into a telephone pole. Two black men left the vehicle through the front passenger door and fled. A search warrant was obtained for the vehicle and detectives found a fully-loaded, 9mm Taurus handgun under the driver’s seat.

The New Jersey State Police Laboratory identified the gun as one of the weapons 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.

All three were taken into custody on October 2020.