In the early morning hours of December 18, 2021, tragedy struck in Trenton, New Jersey, forever altering the lives of those connected to 30-year-old QuaShawn Kelley. Authorities responded to a distressing call of a man shot on the 400 block of Garfield Avenue. Upon their arrival, they discovered Kelley in the rear of a residence, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds that had tragically struck his head, torso, arms, and legs.
Despite the immediate efforts to save him, Kelley was rushed
to Capital Health Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. The community was left to grapple with the violent loss of a young man, and investigators from the Mercer County Homicide Task Force began the arduous task of piecing together the events that led to his untimely demise.
The investigation progressed, and in January 2022, a significant development brought a measure of hope for justice. Tevin Laster, a 27-year-old resident of Trenton, was identified as a suspect in Kelley's death. On January 8, 2022, a coordinated effort involving the Mercer County Tactical Response Team, the U.S. Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force, the Mercer County Homicide Task Force, and the Mercer County Narcotics Task Force culminated in Laster's arrest in Trenton.
Following his apprehension, Laster was charged with murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon. The Mercer County Prosecutor's Office subsequently filed a motion to detain Laster pending his trial, signaling the beginning of the next chapter in the quest for answers and accountability in the death of QuaShawn Kelley.
