Noncent allegedly stabbed Levine as the two fought on Chapel Street around 10:20 p.m.
A Trenton man was stabbed to death late Tuesday after he stepped in to protect his sister during a dispute with her ex-boyfriend, police said. Police block Chapel Street during the investigation last night.
TRENTON — A city man was stabbed to death late Tuesday during a struggle with his sister’s ex-boyfriend, while a 50-year-old man was shot and wounded in broad daylight yesterday as a run of violent crime continued in the capital city, police said.
Courtney Levine, 26, died when he was stabbed once by 40-year-old David Noncent outside Levine’s sister’s home in North Trenton Tuesday night, according to police.
“We believe that there was an altercation between the suspect and the victim that led to the victim being stabbed,” Lt. Steve Varn said.
Noncent allegedly stabbed Levine as the two fought on Chapel Street around 10:20 p.m. Noncent fled after the killing and was at large for about 18 hours before he turned himself in to a police sergeant at headquarters yesterday afternoon.
Levine’s killing, Trenton’s 24th homicide of the year, remains under investigation, as police continue to probe the slaying of 17-year-old Joshua Moore Monday night. Two other shootings Tuesday and the afternoon shooting yesterday have left a total of six people wounded.
The surge of violence led to a statement from Mayor Tony Mack, who said residents have to take more responsibility for making the city safe.
“The Trenton Police Department can no longer be expected to carry the burden of crime reduction on its own,” Mack said. “Parents and guardians need to step up and take control of their homes and children. For those who need help, speak up and speak out.
Our administration will continue to do its part by reaching out to state officials to secure additional public safety dollars.”
Crime has risen overall since 105 city police officers were laid off nearly 15 months ago.
Mack said in the statement issued yesterday afternoon he was “absolutely FED UP with the wanton violence that plagues our City.”
“Our administration has made concerted efforts to reduce crime; everything from hiring additional police officers to transferring officers with desk jobs to our patrol bureau,”
Mack said in the statement. “The escalating violence requires us to do more and we will continue to meet that challenge. We continue to encourage residents to be engaged and attend CPAC and other community stakeholder meetings.”
The 50-year-old man shot during gunfire on the 500 block of Tyler Street around 3:10 p.m. yesterday was expected to survive, police said.
The circumstances of the shooting were not immediately clear.
Around 4 p.m., Noncent called Sgt. Tony Manzo and indicated he might turn himself in.
“He called me and said, ‘I want to come in, I want to see you,’” Manzo said.
Manzo persuaded Noncent to meet him at police headquarters, where Noncent surrendered and was turned over to detectives.
Last night, Varn said it was still not immediately clear whether Levine was protecting his sister from a dispute with Noncent, or whether Levine was the aggressor.
With Levine’s killing, Trenton has equaled the number of homicides recorded in 2011, as nearly four weeks remain in 2012.