Trenton Hostage Standoff Enters Second Day; Officials Urge 'Peaceful Resolution

Officers at a police staging around around the corner from the standoff location on Saturday afternoon. Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com — Officers at a police staging around around the corner from the standoff location on Saturday afternoon.
B4Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

A hostage standoff between a man and law enforcement entered its second day Saturday afternoon in Trenton, N.J.

“We are still working toward a peaceful resolution,” First Assistant Prosecutor of Mercer County Angelo J. Onofri told reporters at the scene Saturday.

Both Onofri and New Jersey State Police spokesman Lt. Stephen Jones said they could not comment on reported negotiations with the suspect.

By the 24-hour mark, police activity at the scene had stepped up and several additional city roads in the vicinity were blocked off by local police.

According to reports, police on a well-being check found the decomposing body of the suspect’s girlfriend just before 3 p.m. Friday afternoon. Police then evacuated the house in the 200 block of Grand Street and became engaged in a standoff with the suspect, who neighbors call “Skip,” after he is alleged to have pulled a firearm.

Emergency radio reports on Friday also indicated that a child was dead inside the house, supposedly killed by the standoff subject. Onofri would not tell reporters how many subjects are being held hostage, but Trenton residents say they heard children are being held by the man.

Bystanders watch the police at the scene. Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com — Bystanders watch the police at the scene.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

“I never seen him with a girlfriend or anything like that. I can’t believe this is happening,” a woman identified as Amy B said. The young woman told LevittownNow.com that she is neighbors with the suspect.

After the standoff started, state police were on the scene with a robot, which has been reported to have brought items to the row home where the suspected is holed up.

Police have evacuated some homes near the standoff and requested that residents on nearby streets stay inside.

Forty-year neighborhood resident Sonia Reyes said, “I can’t believe he would do this.”

“He’s been dating that girl(the woman found dead) for a few months, and I never knew of any trouble,” she added.

Several neighbors said they knew the man the believe to be the suspect as a local dog walker and breeder.

Reyes said she knew the man did not trust police and he had recently told her he served time in jail.

6abc.com reports via an alleged family member of the two fatalities that the suspect had abused his girlfriend’s 19-year-old autistic son, who is currently safe with relatives.

Officials said members of the FBI, New Jersey State Police, Trenton police, Trenton Fire Department, Trenton EMS and Prosecutor’s Office were at the scene.

Police appeared ready to wait the situation out.