TRENTON, N.J. (PBN) The Mercer County Homicide Task Force has charged a Trenton man with homicide after a shooting last night in the city, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.
On July 1, 2023 at approximately 10:19 p.m., Trenton Police received a 911 call reporting gunshots fired at 301 Hills Place, Trenton, New Jersey. Officers responded and located a female gunshot victim inside the residence at 301 Hills Place. The victim, later identified as Precious Saunders, 32, of Trenton, sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was taken toCapitalHealthRegionalMedicalCenter. Shewaspronounceddeceasedat11:05p.m.
An investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department revealed that earlier in the day, Saunders was the victim of an assault at the same location and a complaint warrant had been issued for her boyfriend, Jeremy Ratliff, 29, of Trenton, New Jersey, charging him with aggravated assault. He was located by Trenton Police at approximately 10:46 p.m. in the area of the Trenton Transit Center at 72 South Clinton Avenue and taken into custody on the aggravated assault warrant.
During the homicide investigation, Detectives learned that, during the second incident, witnesses heard screaming followed by several gunshots at 301 Hills Place. Ratliff was observed exiting the residence and fleeing on Hills Place towards Federal Street.
Ratliff has been charged with first-degree murder and second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose.
The investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and Trenton Police Department is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact MCHTF Detective Karl Johnston at (609) 989-6406 or Sgt. Roberto Reyes at (609) 256-0997. Information can also be emailed to [email protected]. Ratliff will be held at the Mercer County Correction Center pending a detention hearing.
