2nd Suspect In Vernon Shooting Case Surrenders

VERNON, CT — The second key suspect in a shooting case in the Rockville section of Vernon surrendered at police headquarters Tuesday, police said.

Trenton Merrill, 18, a resident of 157 Union St., was charged with attempted murder and other felonies, police said. He was initially held on a $1.5 million bond and was transported to court Tuesday, police said. He failed to post it in court.

The other charges include:

• Second-degree assault with a firearm and a related conspiracy
• First-degree reckless endangerment
• Criminal use of a weapon
• Illegal discharge of a firearm
• Illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle
• Conspiracy to commit murder
• Carrying a pistol without a permit

According to a warrant issued for his arrest, Merrill was identified as the primary shooter in the Aug. 27 incident at Prospect and Ward streets. The gun involved was a semi-automatic pistol with .40-cal ammunition, a warrant states.

The gun was recovered at the scene, police said.

Jakwai Sosa, 21, also of 157 Union St., was arrested last week. In the shooting case, his bond was set at $1 million on charges that include conspiracy to commit murder, second-degree assault with a firearm and various other charges, police said.

Another $100,000 bond was assigned to charges against Sosa that include operating a drug factory, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell and various drug charges related to a search of the home, police added.

He did not post either bond and remained in custody Tuesday with an Oct. 16 date to return to court, records show.

Drug charges against Merrill also came with a $100,000 bond, which he also failed to post. They include:

• Operating a drug factory
• Use of drug paraphernalia
• Possession of drugs near a school
• Possession of drug paraphernalia near a school
• Possession with the intent to sell
• Possession of a controlled substance

In all, Vernon police have charged five people in connection with the shooting incident and the subsequent discovery of what police are calling a drug operation at 157 Union St., warrants show.
See details of the case here.