Mercer Co. Man Indicted In Shooting Death Of Transgender Woman

Princeton NJ

29 September, 2021

3:30 PM

Description

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — Daniel L. Smith of Trenton was indicted on four counts for the July shooting death of a transgender woman, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri said Wednesday. Shaquil Loftin, a 23-year-old transgender woman was found shot in the face, authorities said. Smith, 37, is charged 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. He is being held in the Mercer County Correction Center pending trial. On Friday, July 30, around 4:40 a.m., Trenton police responded to a report of a shooting at a residence in the first block of Kelsey Avenue, police said. Upon arrival, officers found Loftin, shot in the face. Loftin was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center and pronounced dead a short time later, Onofri said. Authorities said they issued a search warrant; witnesses were interviewed, and area surveillance footage was reviewed. Read More Here: Mercer Co. Man Charged In Killing Of Transgender Woman: Officials 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," Onofri said in a news release. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Dave Petelle at (609) 989-6406. Tips can also be emailed to [email protected]. Loftin went by Shai Vanderpump on Facebook and was also an LGBTQ activist, according to the group Garden State Equality. The group Garden State Equality said back in July that they were in contact with the state's Bias crime Unit to "bring justice to Shai and her loved ones." Thank you for reading. Have a correction or news tip? Email [email protected] Get breaking news alerts on your phone with our app. Download here. Sign up to get Patch emails so you don't miss out on local and statewide news.