On a Wednesday afternoon in Trenton, New Jersey, 53-year-old Michael Brancolino Jr., a white male, was fatally shot on February 22, 2017. The incident occurred in broad daylight, around 3:40 p.m., near the intersection of Hudson Street and Hamilton Avenue. Brancolino was struck by at least one bullet to the chest. His body was discovered in the street, about a block away from where law enforcement believes the shots were fired.
His purple BMW was found parked nearby.
Responding to reports of multiple gunshots, Trenton police officers arrived to find a chaotic scene. A local resident reported hearing the gunshots and discovered crime scene tape blocking her home's entrance upon her return from picking up her child from school. Investigators found approximately 10 shell casings on the ground, indicating a wild shooting. The area was cordoned off as the Mercer County Homicide Task Force began their investigation.
In the immediate aftermath, details surrounding the motive for the shooting remained unclear. Sources close to the investigation suggested that Brancolino may not have been the intended victim of the attack. There was also speculation that multiple gunmen may have been involved in the shooting. An owner of a local auto repair shop recounted hearing the gunfire, which he described as sounding like it came from more than one shooter and resembled something out of a movie.
As of a 2018 report from the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office, the homicide of Michael Brancolino Jr. was listed among the county's unsolved cases. Law enforcement has continued to ask for the public's assistance, urging anyone with information to contact the Mercer County Homicide Task Force. To date, there have been no publicly announced arrests or identification of any suspects in connection with the murder. The case remains an open and unresolved investigation.
