TRENTON NEW JERSEY MAN INDICTED FOR THE JULY 30, 2021 FATAL SHOOTING OF A MERCER COUNTY TRANSGENDER WOMAN
" Daniel L. Smith Of Trenton Indicted On The Charges Of Murder & Weapons Related Offenses In The Shooting Death Of Shaquil Loftin."
September 30, 2021 By Art Fletcher Reporting For: Englebrook Independent News,
TRENTON, NJ.- On Wednesday, September 29, 2021 Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri announced that a Grand Jury sitting in Mercer County, New Jersey has returned a Four Count Indictment this week Charging Daniel L. Smith with The July 30, 2021 Shooting Death of Shaquil Loftin in Trenton, New Jersey.
Mr. Smith, 37, of Trenton, New Jersey has been formally Charged in The Indictment with First Degree Murder; Second Degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose; Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun; and Second Degree Certain Persons Not to Possess a Firearm. Mr. Smith has been detained in the Mercer County Correction Center since his arrest, and will remain detained pending trial in Mercer County Superior Court.
The indictment is the result of an investigation by The Mercer County Homicide Task Force and The Trenton Police Department.
On Friday, July 30, 2021, at approximately 4:40 a.m., Members of The Trenton Police Department responded to a report of a shooting at a residence in the first block of Kelsey Avenue, within The City. Upon arrival, Police Officers found the victim, later identified as 23-Year-Old Loftin, shot in the face. Loftin was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center and pronounced dead a short time later.
A search warrant was executed at the Kelsey Avenue residence. Witnesses were interviewed and area surveillance footage was reviewed. As a result, Mr. Smith was identified as the individual who shot and killed Loftin.
Detectives continue to investigate what prompted the attack. The case remains under investigation for potential Bias Charges as Loftin is transgender and identified as female. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Dave Petelle at (609) 989-6406. Tips can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org
" The Rules Of The Court Require Us To Include A Statement, Which States: The Charges Outlined In This Publication Are Merely Accusations And The Defendant And Or Defendants Are Presumed Innocent Unless And Until Proven Guilty Beyond Reasonable Doubt."
FILED UNDER SEPTEMBER 30, 2021: LAW, MERCER: