Mercer Man Charged In May 2020 Fatal Shooting: Prosecutor

EAST WINDSOR, NJ — A Trenton man was charged this week for the May 2020 murder of Watson Cogdell, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri announced Thursday.

Bobby Vazquez, 41, is charged with one count of first-degree murder, one count of second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and one count of second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.

According to police around 1:40 p.m. on May 23, 2020, Trenton police responded to gunshots in the area of 193 Brunswick Avenue in Trenton.

Officers and emergency medical technicians arrived on scene and found Cogdell suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, said police.

He was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later, said officials.

Authorities said a crime scene was located in the lot on the side of 217 Brunswick Avenue and detectives found four .40 caliber casings and a projectile.

Multiple witnesses were interviewed who said they saw the suspect shoot Cogdell, authorities said.

The suspect was described as wearing dark clothing, approaching from Middle Rose Street, shooting the victim, then returning in the direction of Middle Rose Street, according to the prosecutor’s office.

Authorities said a suspect identified as “Bobby” was seen running into a residence on Sanford Street after the shooting.

Officers found the residence and during a search, a black Taurus .40 caliber handgun, suspected narcotics and drug paraphernalia were located inside, prosecutor’s office said.

Vazquez is currently being held in the Mercer County Correction Center on unrelated charges. The prosecutor’s office said they have filed a motion to detain Vazquez pending trial.

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