Authorities are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred early Sunday morning, December 8, in Trenton, leaving one man dead and another injured, according to Mercer County Prosecutor Theresa L. Hilton.
At approximately 1 a.m., Trenton police responded to reports of a shooting in progress outside Al Lee’s Bar and Lounge on Dickinson Street. Upon arrival, officers learned that an argument had taken place outside the establishment, followed by multiple gunshots.
A 40-year-old man from Willingboro, NJ, was transported to a hospital by private vehicle, where he is being treated for multiple gunshot wounds.
A second victim, identified as Kristoffer Givens, 47, of Ewing, was found suffering from a gunshot wound approximately one block away on Olden Avenue. Givens was taken to Capital Health Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact Mercer County Homicide Task Force Detective Ramon Santiago at (609) 989-6406 or Sgt. Roberto Reyes at (609) 256-0997. Tips can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org.
According to published reports, the New Jersey State Police arrested Givens on a warrant stemming from a strong-arm robbery in the 600 block of West State Street on July 4, 2015, in the area of Route 1 near the toll bridge.
At that time, Trenton Police Lt. Stephen Varn said that Givens stopped a woman from being able to enter her building then, he struck the woman several times before he took off with $500 of her money. Detective Gregory Hollo developed enough probable cause to issue a warrant for Givens’ arrest.
Givens’ death marks the 14th homicide in Trenton this year.
Previous homicide victims in 2024 include Eduardo Lopez-Cruz, 38, who was fatally shot on January 13, and Stefon Locke, 33, who was shot on January 16 and succumbed to his injuries on February 8.
Other victims include Shawn Moore, 45, killed on February 28; Donnell Jenkins, 52, stabbed on March 19; and Jose Alfredo Azcona Garcia, 46, shot on April 4.
May saw multiple fatal shootings, including Jerome Francis, 43, of Hamilton, and Chevaughn Fagan, 28, of Trenton, both killed on May 1; Stephon Fisher, 18, on May 19; and Dwayne Penix, 20, on May 26.
Additional victims this year include Johnathan Applegate on June 11, Samier Vincent, 30, on June 23, and Amir Williams, 32, who was shot on July 4. Most recently, Opium Leverette, 17, was killed on September 22.
The Mercer County Homicide Task Force continues to investigate this latest incident.