In the early hours of March 27, 2026, the life of 20-year-old Wilber Quib-Cuc of Trenton, New Jersey, was tragically cut short. At approximately 1 a.m., a ShotSpotter alert notified Trenton police of a single gunshot in the vicinity of Beatty Street and Freudenmacher Alley. Upon their arrival, officers discovered Quib-Cuc in Freudenmacher Alley, suffering from a critical gunshot wound to the head.
He was immediately transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center for emergency medical treatment.
Despite the efforts of medical personnel, Wilber Quib-Cuc succumbed to his injuries the following day, on March 28, 2026. The investigation into his death was swiftly undertaken by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and Trenton's Shooting Response Team. As detectives canvassed the area near the scene of the shooting for evidence, they observed a man who matched the description of the suspect.
The individual, identified as 40-year-old Darnell Housley of Trenton, was detained by the authorities. A search revealed that Housley was in possession of a 9mm handgun and suspected heroin. He was initially arrested and faced charges related to weapons and narcotics possession. However, as the investigation progressed and following Quib-Cuc's death, the charges against Housley were upgraded.
On Tuesday, March 31, 2026, the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office formally charged Darnell Housley with murder in connection with the fatal shooting of Wilber Quib-Cuc. In addition to the murder charge, Housley also faces several weapons offenses. Prosecutors have filed a motion to keep him detained pending his trial. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
