In the winter of 2019, tragedy struck in Trenton, New Jersey, with the death of 32-year-old Michael Barnes, a male resident of the city. On the evening of December 27th, law enforcement responded to reports of gunfire and discovered Barnes's body on a walkway situated between two houses. He had sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the face and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into the shooting uncovered a history that linked Barnes to the city's criminal underworld.
It came to light that he had previously been identified as a former gang member with the moniker 'Murder Mike' and had testified in a murder trial several years prior. This background added layers of complexity to the inquiry as authorities worked to determine the motive behind his killing.
Months later, a significant breakthrough was announced. In June 2020, the Attorney General's office revealed that a sweeping indictment had been brought against 16 alleged members and associates of the 'Get Money Boys' street gang. The charges against the group were extensive, linking them to a string of violent crimes that included multiple shootings and the murder of Michael Barnes.
Within this large-scale indictment, specific individuals were identified as being directly involved in Barnes's death. A 25-year-old man named Davion Fenderson was charged with his murder. Additionally, several other alleged gang members, including Charles Willis, Shaiquan Hearns, Bobby Hood, and Jayshawn Fisher, faced charges of conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the case.
