16-Year-Old Charged In Shooting That Killed 2 Teens In Mercer Co.

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — A Trenton teen has been charged with murder in connection with the 2021 shooting that claimed the lives of 15-year-old Shemiah Davis and 19-year-old Candice Ruff, Mercer County prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri said.

The 16-year-old male has been 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.

He was taken into custody by Trenton Police Department on July 25. The teen is being held in the Middlesex County Juvenile Detention Center.

Almere Barnes, 17, of Trenton, and Isaiah Lee, 16, of Hamilton, were previously charged as juveniles in December 2021 with the same offenses, Onofri said. On June 23, the Family Court granted the State’s motion for waiver of jurisdiction to the Superior Court, Law Division, Criminal Part, Onofri said. As a result, Barnes and Lee were formally charged as adults. Both have been ordered detained.

Around 6:45 p.m. on September 25, 2021, Trenton Police responded to a Shot Spotter activation in the first block of Bellevue Avenue. On arrival, officers identified two victims at the scene.

Davis suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the head and torso. She was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead a short time later, authorities said. 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, including a 17-year-old who was treated for a gunshot wound to the leg, Onofri said.

The investigation was conducted by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department.