One person is believed to have thrown the Molotov cocktails at the house on the 600 block of Stuyvesant Avenue.
TRENTON - City police today asked for the public’s help to identify a suspect in an attempted firebombing involving at least three Molotov cocktails hurled at the front of a house, a familiar tactic used in some of Trenton’s worst gang-related murders from years past.
One person is believed to have thrown the Molotov cocktails at the house on the 600 block of Stuyvesant Avenue. Police found two bottles still intact and a third that shattered on the porch, but none ignited. All three had wicks stuffed in the top that had been lit.
“We’re very concerned,” Lt. Steve Varn said. “An incident like this could have been catastrophic.”
Police said they need residents to give them any information they may have on the suspect’s description or motive.
The West Ward home is in an area of the city that has seen repeated violence including a shooting next door this past summer. Officers were called out to the home at 11:30 p.m. and found the bottles.
“One bottle hit the window but didn’t make it into the residence,” Varn said.
Another bottle was found on the roof of a building next door, its wick still smoldering, police said
A man and woman were inside the house at the time, but police did not say today whether either person was a target or whether the crime is believed to be connected to gang activity.
In May 2005, Rasheen Glover and his two daughters died after a firebombing in their Ingham Avenue home. Two Bounty Hunter Bloods gang members are serving life sentences for the crime.
Throughout 2005, firebombings using Molotov cocktails were a tactic used by gang members in the city. Three years later, 10-year-old Qua-Daishia Hopkins died in a firebombing of her home on Walnut Avenue that police believed was connected to gang activity.
The motive remains unclear in Thursday’s incident, however, Varn said. Police collected the evidence including the bottles and processed them. City detectives are investigating along with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Arson unit. No arrests have been made, and the case remains under investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at (609) 989-4170, or the Confidential Tip Line at (609) 989-3663.
Trenton Crime-Stoppers, which offers up to $1,000 in rewards for information, can be reached at (609) 278-TIPS (8477), online at trentoncrimestoppers.com or by texting information and keyword TCSTIPS to 274637. Text STOP to 274637 to cancel and text HELP to 274637 for assistance.
Contact Alex Zdan at azdan@njtimes.com or (609) 989-5705.
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