Mercer Resident Charged In Death Of Man Found Shot In Car: Cops

MERCER COUNTY, NJ – A Mercer County man has been charged in the shooting death of a Trenton resident, County Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey said.

Around 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 27, Trenton police responded to the 300 block of West Hanover Street on a ShotSpotter activation for more than 20 rounds. When officers arrived on the scene they found Michael Jones, 44, of Trenton, in the driver’s seat of a black Mercedes sedan suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Jones was taken to Capital Health Regional Medical Center where he died the next day, Marbrey said.

An investigation conducted by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force (MCHTF), the Trenton Shooting Response Team and the New Jersey State Police’s Intelligence & Criminal Enterprise Section – Crime Suppression Central Unit has resulted in the arrest of Najir Tripp, 29.

Tripp is charged with one count of first-degree murder, one count of second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, one count of second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon and one count of second-degree certain persons not to possess a weapon.

He was arrested on Dec. 29, during a search warrant execution at his Trenton residence.

The prosecutor’s office will file a motion to detain him pending trial.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact MCHTF Detective Ryan Minnick at (609) 989-6406 or Sgt. William Jett Jr. at (609) 331-5010. Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org.

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