On a spring afternoon in Trenton, New Jersey, the life of 29-year-old Yuell Lorenzo Moore was tragically cut short. On March 25, 2020, at approximately 2:30 p.m., police responded to reports of a shooting in progress on the first block of Hudson Street. Upon their arrival, they discovered Moore lying on the ground with a fatal gunshot wound to the head.
He was pronounced dead at the scene, becoming the city's fourth homicide victim in a year that would ultimately be marked by significant violence.
Yuell, a Black male, was born in Trenton on March 27, 1990. He was educated within the Mercer County School System and was a graduate of Trenton High School. At the time of his death, he was formerly employed with a warehouse. His sudden and violent death left his family and friends in mourning, with funeral services held on April 8, 2020, followed by his interment at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Salisbury.
For nearly a year, the investigation into Moore's death continued, led by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force. Their persistent efforts eventually led to a breakthrough in the case. On February 5, 2021, authorities arrested 25-year-old Ravel Stokes of Trenton. Stokes was taken into custody at his residence on Oakland Street by the U.S. Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Mercer County Tactical Response Team.
Following his arrest, Ravel Stokes was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon. The Mercer County Prosecutor's Office filed a motion to detain Stokes pending his trial, marking a significant step towards seeking justice for the death of Yuell Moore.
