Notorious shooting victim arrested for Trenton murder

Leroy Tutt

Leroy Tutt

A man who was notoriously shot in the butt earlier this year has been arrested in connection with a capital city murder.

Leroy Tutt, 30, was arrested Saturday night in connection with the murder of 19-year-old Nebate Anderson. Trenton patrol cops saw Tutt driving a vehicle near the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Evans Avenue and arrested him for murder and related offenses as a result of warrants issued in connection with Anderson’s death.

Anderson was gunned down on June 30 in the first block of Sanford Street, where police found him lying on the ground between a car and a minivan. He lived across the street from where he was shot.

Before his death, police issued a warrant for Anderson’s arrest in connection with a prior shooting. Police sources say Anderson was the person who shot Tutt on the afternoon of April 26 in the 600 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Sources say Tutt ran into a deli as Anderson fired at him. The incident left the business with a shattered glass door.

Nebate Anderson

Nebate Anderson

Anderson and Tutt fled the scene before police arrived. But Tutt later walked into the hospital seeking treatment for a gunshot wound to the butt.

Meanwhile, police used a K-9 to track Anderson, who fled to Sweets Avenue. Police say the trail ended at the front porch of a home belonging to a lifelong city resident of 48 years. After knocking and receiving no response, police broke down the front door and realized Anderson was not in the house. Police believe he may have tried to enter the home, then jumped a nearby fence and continued running.

A city cop later paid the homeowner $360 for the portion the city would not reimburse the resident to cover the door repair.

Anderson was eventually arrested on May 2, by members of the Violent Crimes Unit — then under the command of Detective Sgt. Anthony Manzo — who tackled him as he reached for a gun in his waistband.

Since he was only charged with weapons possession after that May arrest, Anderson was quickly released from jail pursuant to New Jersey’s new bail reform law. Police say ballistics tests later revealed the gun he had that Tuesday morning was used to shoot Tutt the week prior. Additional warrants were then issued for Anderson’s arrest, but he was killed before police found him.

Tutt has a record of violent criminal offenses. After serving time for aggravated assault and weapons offenses, he was released from prison in June of last year.

So far this year, this 8-square-mile capital city has experienced 15 homicides. Twelve of those victims died by gunfire, two were stabbed to death, and one was killed by a hit-and-run driver.

The latest victim, 21-year-old Jerome Thomas, of Franklin Township, was shot and killed while sitting inside his vehicle in the 600 block of Southard Street Friday night. The gunman remains on the run.

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