On Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023, a long-standing feud culminated in the death of 23-year-old Jhosse Tolentino in Trenton, New Jersey. Tolentino, a Black male, was sitting in the driver's seat of his parked 2010 Infiniti G37 near the intersection of Lamberton and Federal streets when he was ambushed. The attack was the latest violent episode in a prolonged conflict between members of the 'H-block' gang and individuals associated with the South Trenton area, particularly Lamberton Street, where
Tolentino resided. The dispute had reportedly intensified on social media in the time leading up to the shooting, with insults exchanged on Instagram between Tolentino and members of the H-block gang.
Shortly before 7 p.m., a stolen black 2007 Toyota 4Runner approached Tolentino's parked vehicle. Surveillance footage from the area captured four men exiting the SUV armed with firearms. The men advanced on Tolentino's car and fired multiple shots at the driver's seat area, striking both Tolentino and his vehicle numerous times. The assailants then returned to the 4Runner and fled the scene. Responding to a ShotSpotter notification, Trenton police discovered the gravely wounded Tolentino. He was rushed to Capital Health Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The investigation that followed led to the identification and arrest of four suspects. Joseph Fayson, 22, and Justin Malkin, 23, both of Trenton; Darin Eutsey, 23, of Hamilton; and Bayshawn Brown, 22, of Ewing, were all taken into custody. The stolen Toyota 4Runner used in the commission of the crime was later found abandoned by detectives at a vacant property on Edgewood Avenue. All four men have since been charged with first-degree murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, and theft by receiving stolen property.
