Crime & Safety
Suspect In Fatal Shooting At Lawrenceville Applebee's Arrested
A Lawrence Township man has been arrested in a fatal shooting at the Applebee's near the Quakerbridge Mall.
LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ — A Lawrence Township man has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting that took place at the Applebee’s restaurant near the Quakerbridge Mall, authorities announced.
Noel Powell III, 27, was arrested at about 2:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon, according to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.
He is charged with murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon in the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Devin Smith, of Lawrence Township.
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Smith was shot in the head while he drank alone at the bar at about 12:25 a.m. on Tuesday morning, Nov. 14. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Powell fled the restaurant in a dark-colored SUV following the shooting, according to the prosecutor’s office. No other injuries were reported. The two reportedly had an unresolved feud, but authorities didn't provide a motive in announcing the arrest on Sunday.
Find out what's happening in Lawrencevillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Powell was charged following an investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Lawrence Township Police Department. He was arrested by members of the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the U.S. Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force.
The prosecutor’s office said it will file a motion to have Powell detained. He is being held at the Mercer County Correction Center.
Smith had a three-year-old daughter.
"I feel so relieved," Briana Anderson — the mother of Smith's daughter — posted on her Facebook page Sunday night. "Justice is served. Long live Devin!"
Powell's attorney told The Trentonian that Powell surrendered to police, but maintains his innocence. The attorney wasn't aware of any prior criminal history, and didn't know if the two knew each other before the alleged murder.
It is the first murder in Lawrence Township since Shawn Anderson was shot and killed at the Sleepy Hollow Motel on Brunswick Pike back in 2001, according to The Trentonian.
The attached image of Noel Powell III was provided by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office
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