TRENTON, NJ—Acting Mercer County Prosecutor Theresa L. Hilton and Trenton Police Director Steve Wilson announced the arrest of four individuals linked to the July 2nd shooting death of Capriest Ruiz, 23, of Camden, NJ.
The arrests were the result of a collaborative effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
Dajon Bethea, 26, Shyheim McMillon, 27, Jamir Black, 26, all from Trenton, and Shatwan Liverman, 27, from Suffolk, Virginia, were charged with conspiracy to commit murder. Bethea and McMillon also face charges of accomplice liability murder. Bethea, Black, and Liverman were apprehended on August 1st in Trenton with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force and several other teams. McMillon was captured in Miami Beach, Florida.
The arrests followed a July 2nd incident where Trenton police responded to a ShotSpotter alert on the 200 block of Euclid Avenue. Officers found Ruiz with a fatal gunshot wound to his head. He was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center but succumbed to his injuries the following day.
Investigation revealed that the suspects had followed Ruiz in a white Jeep before shooting him as he rode his bicycle.
Additional charges are expected as Bethea was found in possession of a defaced firearm and suspected heroin at the time of his arrest. Bethea’s girlfriend, Patricia Washington, 29, was also arrested on charges of false reporting, obstruction, and hindering apprehension after she allegedly reported her Jeep stolen shortly after the shooting to obstruct the investigation.