In the early morning hours of a cold November day in 2014, the sound of multiple gunshots echoed through the 100 block of Passaic Street in Trenton, New Jersey. When police arrived around 12:40 a.m. on November 18th, they found 28-year-old Hakeem Joseph Lamar Brooks suffering from several gunshot wounds. He was rushed to Capital Health Regional Medical Center for treatment. A Black male, Brooks fought for his life for nearly two weeks before succumbing to his injuries on Monday, December 1, 2014.
A lifelong resident of Trenton, Hakeem was a graduate of Trenton Central High School's Class of 2004. He was known for his hobbies, which included building model airplanes and cars, and playing video games. More than anything, he cherished the time he spent with his family.
His death left a void in the lives of his loved ones, including his young son, his parents, and numerous siblings, other relatives, and friends who remembered him as a cherished member of their family.
In the wake of the shooting, the Mercer County Homicide Task Force took over the investigation. Authorities reached out to the public for any information that might lead to an understanding of what happened that night and who was responsible. Despite their inquiries and appeals for witnesses to come forward, police did not release a description of any suspect or suspects. The investigation into the shooting death of Hakeem Brooks was initiated, but information regarding any subsequent arrests or the identification of any suspects has not been publicly reported in the years that have followed. The case remains a painful memory for a family and a community still seeking answers.
