Authorities are trying to determine what led to a shooting that left one teen dead and several injured at a party held on Deutz Avenue Friday night.
by James McEvoy, Managing Editor
HAMILTON — Authorities are trying to determine what led to a shooting that left one teen dead and several injured at a party held on Deutz Avenue on July 12.
The shooting claimed the life of Shakir Williams, 18, of Trenton, who sustained a wound to the abdomen.
According to Mercer County First Assistant Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri, Mr. Williams was pronounced dead at the scene.
Casey DeBlasio, spokeswoman for the prosecutor’s office, said Wednesday that the medical examiner who performed the autopsy ruled the cause of death as extensive loss of blood resulting to a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
Mr. Onofri also said no arrests have been made, but the investigation is ongoing with warrants executed at homes that might have some connection with the incident.
”We are planning on taking some additional statements,” he said, adding that three of the four others wounded were treated at area hospitals and released.
A fourth victim, a 17-year-old black male who sustained gunshot wounds to torso, arm, leg and groin, underwent surgery at Capital Health Systems at Fuld in Trenton.
Mr. Onofri said the surgery took about five hours and doctors were unable to remove one bullet due to its location.
He said Hamilton police first received reports of a shooting on Friday evening at 11:13 p.m. in the 1100 block of Deutz Avenue. Police were on scene approximately five minutes later.
The shooting, Mr. Onofri said, occurred in the living room of the home. Police discovered Mr. Williams’ body in a bedroom.
Mr. Onofri noted the party had been attended by as many as 100 people, many of whom were between the ages of 15 and18.
The mother and stepfather of the birthday girl were upstairs while her 23-year-old brother was at the door accepting entry fees of $2 for girls and $3 for boys, he said.
He also confirmed the party was advertised on Twitter and Facebook and that investigators are looking into reports that alcohol was served at the party.
”Charges could be forthcoming.”
Messages left for the Hamilton Police Criminal Investigations Bureau were not immediately returned.

