Trenton, NJ, (Mercer) Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri announced Monday two teenagers have been arrested in a September shooting on Bellevue Avenue in Trenton that claimed the lives of 15-year-old Shemiah Davis and 19-year-old Candice Ruff.
A 17-year-old male from Trenton and a 16-year-old male from Hamilton are each charged with conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of aggravated assault, theft by receiving stolen property, and firearms offenses. The 17-year-old was arrested on December 1, 2021, in Trenton by members of the U.S. Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force. He is being held in the Middlesex County Juvenile Detention Center. The 16-year-old was arrested on December 8, 2021, in McDonough, Georgia, by members of the U.S. Marshals Service Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force. He is being held at the Metro Regional Youth Detention Center in Georgia pending an extradition hearing.
The charges are the result of an investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department. At approximately 6:45 p.m. on September 25, 2021, Trenton Police responded to a Shot Spotter activation for multiple rounds in the first block of Bellevue Avenue.
Upon arrival, officers identified two victims at the scene. Davis suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the head and torso. She was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead a short time later. Ruff suffered gunshot wounds to her head and died as a result of her injuries on October 4.
Two additional victims arrived at the hospital by private vehicle, including a 17-year-old who was treated for a gunshot wound to the leg.
Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
