Iyeesha Kia Thomas | Homicide Watch Trentonhttp://trenton.homicidewatch.org/victims/iyeesha-kia-thomas/Latest news about Iyeesha Kia Thomasen-usMon, 03 Nov 2014 15:40:42 -0500Quran Brittingham found dead Monday near footpath to D&#038;R Canalhttp://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2014/11/03/quran-brittingham-found-dead-monday-near-footpath-to-dr-canal/<p><iframe src="http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/api/v1/homicides/113.html" width="100%" height="350" frameborder=0></iframe></p> <p>The city has now experienced five homicides in less than three weeks. </p> <p>Around 8 a.m. Monday, police found 21-year-old <a href="http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/victims/quran-brittingham/" onclick="_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article-int', 'http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/victims/quran-brittingham/', 'Quran Brittingham']);" >Quran Brittingham</a> dead after officers were dispatched to the intersection of Bruce Park Drive and Edgewood Avenue to investigate a report of “unknown trouble.” <span id="more-2181"></span></p> <a href="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2014/11/IMG_2851.jpg" onclick="_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article-int', 'http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2014/11/IMG_2851.jpg', '']);" ><img src="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2014/11/IMG_2851-150x150.jpg" alt="Quran Brittingham" width="150" height="150" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-2216" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Quran Brittingham</p> <p>Police say Brittingham was lying on a footpath leading to the Delaware and Raritan Canal showing signs of injury. The type of injury has not been disclosed at this time, but police confirmed that Brittingham was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of death is pending an autopsy scheduled for later this week, according to prosecutors investigating the case.</p> <p>Brittingham is the second person to be found dead near that portion of the D&#038;R Canal this year. <a href="http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/victims/aaron-lewis/" onclick="_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article-int', 'http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/victims/aaron-lewis/', 'Aaron Lewis']);" >Aaron Lewis</a>, 23, of Hamilton, was found shot and killed near that location in April. </p> <p>After an August and September with zero murders, this year's homicide toll is now 28. </p> <p>On Halloween, police found 36-year-old <a href="http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/victims/levonza-thompson/" onclick="_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article-int', 'http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/victims/levonza-thompson/', 'Levonza Thompson']);" >Levonza Thompson</a> outside of Oakland Park Apartments suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Thompson, who is the uncle of <a href="http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/victims/naquan-ellis/" onclick="_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article-int', 'http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/victims/naquan-ellis/', 'Naquan Ellis']);" >Naquan Ellis</a> who was shot and killed in June, was later pronounced at the hospital. <a href="http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/victims/iyeesha-kia-thomas/" onclick="_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article-int', 'http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/victims/iyeesha-kia-thomas/', 'Iyeesha Kia Thomas']);" >Iyeesha Kia Thomas</a> and <a href="http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/victims/silas-johnson/" onclick="_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article-int', 'http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/victims/silas-johnson/', 'Silas Johnson']);" >Silas Johnson</a> were also found shot and killed last week. </p> <p>According to prosecutors, no arrests have been made in connection with the deaths of Brittingham, Thompson, Thomas nor Johnson. </p> <p>Anyone with information about either murder is asked to contact the Mercer County Homicide Task Force at 609-989-6406. Or, call the Trenton police confidential tip line at 609-989-3663.</p> <p>Tipsters may also call the Trenton Crime Stoppers tip line at 609-278-8477. Those wishing to text a tip can send a message labeled TCSTIPS to Trenton Crime Stoppers at 274637.</p> <p><em>Editor's note: This story has been updated with a different photograph of Brittingham at the request of his family.</em></p> Penny RayMon, 03 Nov 2014 15:40:42 -0500http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2014/11/03/quran-brittingham-found-dead-monday-near-footpath-to-dr-canal/Quran BrittinghamSilas JohnsonIyeesha Kia ThomasLevonza ThompsonMourners visit makeshift memorial for Iyeesha Kia Thomashttp://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2014/10/28/mourners-visit-makeshift-memorial-for-iyeesha-kia-thomas/<a href="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2014/10/11856063.jpg" onclick="_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article-int', 'http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2014/10/11856063.jpg', '']);" ><img src="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2014/10/11856063-500x385.jpg" alt="A woman who did not wish to be identified sits at a memorial for Iyeesha Kia Thomas Tuesday Oct. 28, 2014 on Brunswick Avenue in Trenton. The woman said the memorial will remain through Sunday. (JACKIE SCHEAR—THE TRENTONIAN)" width="500" height="385" class="size-large wp-image-2125" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">A woman who did not wish to be identified sits at a memorial for Iyeesha Kia Thomas Tuesday Oct. 28, 2014 on Brunswick Avenue in Trenton. The woman said the memorial will remain through Sunday. (JACKIE SCHEAR—THE TRENTONIAN)</p> <p>Racha Barlow said she’s known <a href="http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/victims/iyeesha-kia-thomas/" onclick="_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article-int', 'http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/victims/iyeesha-kia-thomas/', 'Iyeesha Kia Thomas']);" >Iyeesha Kia Thomas</a> ever since junior high school, and the two of them spent time together the night before Thomas was killed. </p> <p>Barlow said they were with several other people sitting on a stoop near the intersection of Middle Rose Street and Brunswick Avenue, where they talked, laughed and joked for several hours. Barlow said she left the stoop around 9 p.m. Saturday. But before they parted ways, Thomas pulled out Barlow’s business card. </p> <p>Barlow is a poet, and for several years she has written poems that have been read at funerals for the city’s homicide victims. Barlow said she was surprised when Thomas showed her the card because she doesn’t remember giving her one. </p> <p>That card - and that moment - was the first thing Barlow thought about when she learned of Thomas’ death. <span id="more-2123"></span></p> <p>"I wonder if that was some type of sign,” Barlow said. "I would never have left her out here, if I would've known that hours later she would be dead.”</p> <p>Thomas, 40, was found dead in the 800 block of Calhoun Street around 9:45 a.m. Sunday. Prosecutors say she was lying <a href="http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2014/10/27/woman-found-dead-in-blaine-alley-identified-as-iyeesha-kia-thomas/" onclick="_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article-int', 'http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2014/10/27/woman-found-dead-in-blaine-alley-identified-as-iyeesha-kia-thomas/', 'face down in a grassy area of Blaine Alley']);" >face down in a grassy area of Blaine Alley</a> suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Thomas was pronounced dead at the scene. </p> <p>"She didn't deserve to be murdered like that," Barlow said. “Despite what she went through out here with individuals, she was a loving person."</p> <p>Dozens of people stopped by a makeshift memorial Tuesday to show respect for Thomas. The memorial contained her picture, several candles, liquor bottles and teddy bears. It also displayed a pair of red high-heel shoes that Thomas once wore. Two white sheets signed by people who are saddened by her death lined a chain-link fence, and one of those sheets was signed by Detective Sergeant Chris Doyle of the Mercer County Homicide Task Force.</p> <a href="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2014/10/P1080200.jpg" onclick="_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article-int', 'http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2014/10/P1080200.jpg', '']);" ><img src="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2014/10/P1080200-300x225.jpg" alt="Mourners stopped by this makeshift memorial for Iyeesha Kia Thomas. (Penny Ray - Trentonian)" width="300" height="225" class="size-medium wp-image-2131" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Mourners stopped by this makeshift memorial for Iyeesha Kia Thomas. (Penny Ray - Trentonian)</p> <p>A woman who goes by the name “Niecey” said she’s known Thomas for about 10 years. Niecey said she dropped to her knees when she heard about the murder. </p> <p>“I fell to the ground and started crying,” Niecey said. “Iyeesha had a heart of gold. She didn't deserve to be shot in the head like that.”</p> <p>Those who stopped by the memorial Tuesday described Thomas as funny, loving and caring. </p> <p>"She was hilarious; she'd do anything for you if she liked you,” Barlow said. “And she loved to babysit her grandkids. That was her time away from the block."</p> <p>No arrests have been made in connection with Thomas' death. Anyone with information is asked to call (609) 989-6406. Or call the Trenton police confidential tip line at (609) 989-3663.</p> <p>Tipsters may also call the Trenton Crime Stoppers tip line at (609) 278-8477. Those wishing to text a tip can send a message labeled TCSTIPS to Trenton Crime Stoppers at 274637.</p> Penny RayTue, 28 Oct 2014 18:09:05 -0400http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2014/10/28/mourners-visit-makeshift-memorial-for-iyeesha-kia-thomas/Iyeesha Kia ThomasWoman found dead in Blaine Alley identified as Iyeesha Kia Thomashttp://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2014/10/27/woman-found-dead-in-blaine-alley-identified-as-iyeesha-kia-thomas/<a href="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2014/10/P1080192.jpg" onclick="_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article-int', 'http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2014/10/P1080192.jpg', '']);" ><img src="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2014/10/P1080192-500x375.jpg" alt="Blaine Alley" width="500" height="375" class="size-large wp-image-2102" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Blaine Alley</p> <p>Police have identified the woman found dead in Blaine Alley as 40-year-old <a href="http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/victims/iyeesha-kia-thomas/" onclick="_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article-int', 'http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/victims/iyeesha-kia-thomas/', 'Iyeesha Kia Thomas']);" >Iyeesha Kia Thomas</a>. </p> <p>According to law enforcement, around 9:45 a.m. Sunday, police found Thomas dead in Blaine Alley, which is located in the 800 block of Calhoun Street. She suffered a gunshot wound to the head and was pronounced dead at the scene. Prosecutors say Thomas was found face down in a grassy area wearing a tan sweater, blue jeans, tan and orange boots and a black and pink Chicago Bulls knit hat. <span id="more-2095"></span></p> <a href="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2014/10/facebook_1414423168445.jpg" onclick="_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article-int', 'http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2014/10/facebook_1414423168445.jpg', '']);" ><img src="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2014/10/facebook_1414423168445-300x300.jpg" alt="Iyeesha Kia Thomas" width="300" height="300" class="size-medium wp-image-2101" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Iyeesha Kia Thomas</p> <p>A woman who lives near Blaine Alley said Monday that she saw police investigating the case. She said she does not know Thomas, but found the incident "strange."</p> <p>"This is a quiet block," the woman who has lived in Trenton four years, said. "There's been no shootings or anything around here."</p> <p>The woman said she never heard gunshots Saturday evening or Sunday morning, and that it's possible Thomas was taken to the alley after she was killed. </p> <a href="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2014/10/P1080195.jpg" onclick="_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article-int', 'http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2014/10/P1080195.jpg', '']);" ><img src="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2014/10/P1080195-300x225.jpg" alt="Grassy area in Blaine Alley where Iyeesha Kia Thomas was found. " width="300" height="225" class="size-medium wp-image-2103" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Grassy area in Blaine Alley where Iyeesha Kia Thomas was found.</p> <p>Police have not said whether the shooting took place in the alley, but on Monday there were markings on the ground suggesting that something was dragged through the grass. </p> <p>The city has experience back-to-back weekend murders, bringing <a href="http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/photo-gallery/2014/" onclick="_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article-int', 'http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/photo-gallery/2014/', 'this year&#039;s homicide toll to 25']);" >this year's homicide toll to 25</a>. </p> <p>The Mercer County Homicide Task Force is investigating Thomas' murder. Anyone with information is asked to call (609) 989-6406. Or call the Trenton police confidential tip line at (609) 989-3663. </p> <p>Tipsters may also call the Trenton Crime Stoppers tip line at (609) 278-8477. Those wishing to text a tip can send a message labeled TCSTIPS to Trenton Crime Stoppers at 274637.</p> Penny RayMon, 27 Oct 2014 10:35:07 -0400http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2014/10/27/woman-found-dead-in-blaine-alley-identified-as-iyeesha-kia-thomas/Iyeesha Kia ThomasPolice investigating a homicide on Blaine Alley in Trentonhttp://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2014/10/26/police-investigating-a-homicide-on-blaine-alley-in-trenton/<p><iframe src="http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/api/v1/homicides/110.html" width="100%" height="350" frameborder=0></iframe></p> <p>Police are investigating a homicide in the city's North Ward. </p> <p>According to Trenton Police Lt. Mark Kieffer, the woman's body was found in Blaine Alley Sunday morning around 9:45 a.m. Blaine Alley is just off of the 800 block of Calhoun Street. According to First Assistant Prosecutor Angelo Onofri, the woman's body was found in an area behind 841 Calhoun Street. Onofri said the woman had been shot once in the head. She was declared dead at the scene by Trenton Emergency Services. <span id="more-2081"></span></p> <p>Onofri said the woman was found face down in a grassy area wearing a tan sweater, blue jeans, tan and orange boots and a black and pink Chicago Bulls knit hat. She was between 5- and 5-feet-5-inches tall. </p> <p>Her identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, Onofri said. She is described only as a 40-year-old black woman at this point.</p> <p>The homicide is currently under investigation by the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office Homicide Task Force.</p> <p>Anyone who may have information is asked to contact the Mercer County Homicide Task Force at (609) 989-6406. Or use the Trenton police confidential tip line at (609) 989-3663.</p> <p>Tipsters may also call the Trenton Crime Stoppers tipline at (609) 278-8477. Those wishing to text a tip can send a message labeled TCSTIPS to Trenton Crime Stoppers at 274637.</p> Scott KettererSun, 26 Oct 2014 17:54:18 -0400http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2014/10/26/police-investigating-a-homicide-on-blaine-alley-in-trenton/Iyeesha Kia Thomas