On the morning of Saturday, July 1, 2023, police were called to an apartment on Hills Place in South Trenton after a reported assault involving 32-year-old Precious S. Saunders and her 29-year-old boyfriend, Jeremy Ratliff. A complaint-warrant for aggravated assault was issued for Ratliff that day.

That same night neighbors reported screams and several gunshots from Saunders’ apartment around 10:20 p.m. Responders found Saunders with multiple gunshot wounds; she was taken to Capital Health Regional Medical Center and pronounced dead at about 11:05 p.m. Witnesses said Ratliff returned to the home late and fired several shots, then was seen leaving toward Federal Street.

Trenton Police located and arrested Ratliff near the Trenton Transit Center around 10:46 p.m., initially on the aggravated assault warrant. Charges were later upgraded to first-degree murder and second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, and he was held at the Mercer County Correction Center pending a detention hearing. The Mercer County Homicide Task Force and Trenton Police are investigating the city’s 19th homicide of 2023.

If anyone knew Precious, her movements that day, or has information about what happened at the Hills Place residence, please come forward.