On a summer day that turned tragic, Precious S. Saunders, a 32-year-old woman, lost her life in Trenton, New Jersey. The events leading to her death began on the morning of Saturday, July 1, 2023, when police were called to her residence on Hills Place in the South Trenton section of the city for a reported assault. A complaint-warrant was subsequently issued for her 29-year-old boyfriend, Jeremy Ratliff, for aggravated assault.
Later that same day, the situation escalated tragically.
Neighbors reported hearing screams followed by several gunshots coming from Saunders' apartment around 10:20 p.m. Responding to the scene, they found Saunders with multiple gunshot wounds. She was quickly transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center, but despite medical efforts, she was pronounced dead at approximately 11:05 p.m.
The investigation pointed to Ratliff, who had allegedly returned to the home late Saturday night and fired several shots. Witnesses reported seeing Ratliff leaving the residence and fleeing towards Federal Street after the gunshots were heard. A short time later, at around 10:46 p.m., Trenton Police located and apprehended Ratliff near the Trenton Transit Center on South Clinton Avenue.
Initially taken into custody on the aggravated assault warrant, the charges against Jeremy Ratliff were upgraded to first-degree murder and second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose. He was then held at the Mercer County Correction Center pending a detention hearing. The Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department are continuing to investigate the city's 19th homicide of 2023.
