Philadelphia man killed in Trenton Sunday night

TRENTON >> With the winter holiday season upon us, bullets continue to fly in the capital city.

A Philadelphia man was shot and killed Sunday night, becoming the city’s second murder victim within a four-day period.

Eric Severino, 27, suffered a gunshot wound to his chest and later died at St. Francis Medical Center.

Emergency dispatch received a call reporting 10 gunshots in the Wilbur section of the city near Walnut Avenue and Monmouth Street around 10:30 p.m.

Cops found Severino in a white SUV suffering from a gunshot wound. Officials say he slipped into cardiac arrest shortly after medics arrived at the scene, and that he died at the hospital a short time later.

Law enforcement sources believe the shooting was the result of a drug deal gone awry.

The capital city has been rife with gunfire in the past week.

A morning gun battle last Tuesday left a trail of shell casings and blood throughout the Wilbur section. Justice Ford was later arrested in connection with the shootout after police obtained video showing him go from being a victim to a suspect when he escaped an ambush and returned fire at his assailant from a safe distance.

The following day, 28-year-old Quanmir Spears was gunned down on Spring Street in a brazen daylight killing.

As of press time, no one has been charged in connection with Severino’s death and the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about the killing is asked to contact the Mercer County Homicide Task Force at 609989-6406. Or email tips to mchtftips@mercercounty.org.