Days after a fatal shooting outside a business on East State Street, Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora has ordered businesses along part of the corridor to close overnight on weekends in an effort to curb late-night gatherings.
The executive order, signed Thursday, requires businesses on East State Street between West Canal Street and South Broad Street to cease operations between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. According to the order, the restriction is intended to address recurring late-night gatherings that city officials say have resulted in loud music, traffic congestion, illegal parking, open alcohol and drug use, littering and violence. The order specifically cites a recent fatal shooting among the incidents prompting the action.
The shooting occurred at approximately 3:37 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, when Trenton police responded to the 300 block of East State Street following reports of a large disturbance and gunfire. Officers found a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the neck in front of 319 East State Street. He was later identified as Jemear Miller, 32, of Ewing, who died at Capital Health Regional Medical Center. A second man suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and arrived at the hospital in a private vehicle. No arrests have been announced.
In the executive order, Gusciora said the city has already increased police patrols and parking enforcement near City Hall during late-night hours, expanded cleanup efforts and pursued ordinance changes aimed at disruptive activities. He said the gatherings have required significant public safety and sanitation resources while affecting nearby residents and businesses.
The order will remain in effect for businesses within the designated East State Street corridor during the specified overnight weekend hours.
Anyone with information about the homicide is asked to contact Mercer County Homicide Task Force Detective Elijah Phillips at (609) 414-2006. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.
