Mercer Man Convicted In Gang-Related Double Shooting Deaths: Prosecutor

MERCER COUNTY, NJ – A 22-year-old Trenton man was convicted for the August 9, 2020 shooting death of two 18-year-olds, one of whom made disparaging comments about a gang on Facebook, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri said Friday.

On Thursday, Tyzir Hamilton, 22, was convicted on all counts of the indictment, including two counts of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a handgun.

On Aug. 9, 2020, around 7:30 a.m., Trenton Police officers responded to the area of 300 Centre Street for a shooting in progress.

On arrival, they found first victim, William Irizarry, 18, lying on the street in the area of 339 Centre Street. He had sustained multiple gunshot wounds throughout his body and was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

The second victim, Julius Vargas, 18, was found inside a corner market with a gunshot wound. Vargas was taken to the hospital for treatment, but succumbed to his injuries a short time later.

Detectives found a witness and numerous cameras in the area of the shooting. A suspect vehicle was identified as a black Chrysler 300 with PA plates, along with two shooters, described as black males wearing all black clothing and black ski masks.

The black Chrysler 300 was seen circling the area before the shooting, then parking and watching Irizarry and Vargas for several minutes as they stood on the corner with others. When the vehicle drove up to the corner and stopped, two shooters, later identified as Hamilton and Treizon Thompson, exited and ran toward Irizarry and Vargas, firing multiple

Gunshots, according to authorities.

The driver, later identified as Darnell Davis, remained in the car. Hamilton and Thompson then chased after Irizarry as he ran into the street, continuing to shoot at him, authorities said.

When Irizarry fell to the ground after suffering a gunshot wound, they both continued to shoot at him as he lay on the ground. Afterward, Hamilton and Thompson returned to the vehicle and fled, according to authorities.

Further investigation revealed that a black Chrysler 300 was stolen out of Bensalem, Pennsylvania, on Aug. 3, 2020, and seen on an automated license plate reader camera in the area of Pennington Avenue and Reservoir Street in Trenton on Aug. 4.

The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Computer Crimes Unit conducted a physical search and forensic examination of Irizarry’s cell phone. Authorities found that Irizarry had posted a photo on his Facebook page disrespecting the H-Block gang.

Detectives continued to monitor multiple public social media posts of numerous H-Block gang members talking about the murders of Irizarry and Vargas and taunting and threatening their friends and family. They also referenced Irizarry disrespecting the H-Block gang prior to being murdered, authorities said.

On Sept. 1, 2020, while on surveillance during another investigation, detectives saw the black Chrysler 300 with PA plates driving in Trenton. When detectives were attempting to identify the occupants, the vehicle took off at a high rate of speed and a pursuit ensued. The pursuit came to an end on Reservoir Street, where the vehicle crashed into a telephone pole and the occupants subsequently escaped on foot, according to authorities.

Area surveillance footage showed the vehicle crash into the pole and two black men exiting the vehicle through the front passenger door, both wearing all black with their hoods up, authorities said.

A search warrant was obtained for the vehicle and detectives located a fully-loaded, 9mm Taurus handgun under the driver’s seat. The handgun was taken to the New Jersey State Police Laboratory and identified as one of the guns used in the murders of Irizarry and Vargas, police said.

Further investigation revealed another witness who was able to identify Davis, Hamilton and Thompson as being responsible for the deaths of Irizarry and Vargas, Onofri said.

Mercer County Deputy First Assistant Prosecutor Kathleen M. Petrucci and Executive Assistant Prosecutor Michael C. Borgos represented the state during the three-week trial before Mercer County Superior Court Judge Peter E. Warshaw.

The investigation was led by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and Sgt. Richard Sheppard of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.

Hamilton is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 4, 2024, along with Thompson, 23, who was tried in Dec. 2022 and also found guilty on all counts.

They each face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Davis, 22, previously pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter and is pending sentencing.

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