A Trenton man was shot to death at the Sleep-E-Hollow Motel early Monday morning following an argument with four men regarding his girlfriend, police said. This is the first murder in Lawrence since 1997.
Shawn Anderson, 27, of Rosemont Avenue, Trenton, was shot in the left arm while he was standing in front of a room at the motel on Route 1 at 2:53 a.m., Lt. Joseph Prettyman said. The bullet passed through his arm and entered his chest.
Police officers attempted to restart Mr. Anderson’s heart with a portable defibrillator at the scene, Lt. Prettyman said. He was taken to Capitol Health Systems at Fuld Hospital by the Lawrence Township First Aid and Rescue Squad, where he died a short time later.
The man who shot Mr. Anderson had traveled to the motel with three companions, looking for a female acquaintance, Lt. Prettyman said. The men knocked on the door of Mr. Anderson’s room at the motel. A woman, who was identified only by police as the victim’s girlfriend, opened the door. She told the men that the woman they were looking for did not live in that room.
The men began to talk to the victim’s girlfriend and her friend. Mr. Anderson walked up to the room and he became upset that the men were talking to his girlfriend, Lt. Prettyman said. The victim and the four men began to argue. One of the men pulled out a handgun and shot Mr. Anderson.
The men drove off in a white, four-door sedan with a blue roof. The car may have had a straw-colored New Jersey license plate with the last two characters being "YO," Lt. Prettyman said.
The man who police believe shot Mr. Anderson has been described as a dark-skinned black man who is about 24 years old. He is about 6 feet 1 inch tall and he weighs about 180 pounds. He had been wearing a large diamond earring in each ear and a long silver necklace. Also, he was wearing a heavy, three-quarter length black leather jacket, blue jeans and dark colored boots.
The driver of the car has been described by police as a light-skinned black man, about 26 years old, and of medium build. He is about 6 feet tall and weighs about 180 pounds. He wears his hair in shoulder length dreadlocks and has a pointy nose.
A third suspect has been described by police as a medium- to light-skinned black man who is about 22 or 23 years old. He is about 5 feet,7 inches tall and weighs about 180 pounds. He was wearing a silver necklace, a sky blue shirt and blue jean pants.
A fourth suspect has been described by police as a dark-skinned black man who stands about 5 feet, 6 inches tall. He is about 24 years old. He was wearing a fluorescent green coat and tan Timberland boots.
The case is being investigated by Patrolman Edwin Podbielski and Detectives Scott Burns and William Eggert. Persons with information are asked to contact the Lawrence Township Police Department at 896-1111.
