Stephanie Vil, a 34-year-old mother, was found fatally shot near Prospect Street and West Hanover Avenue in Trenton, New Jersey on February 12, 2023. Her body lay in the street beside a heavily damaged vehicle; she was pronounced dead at the scene after police responded to a shot-spotter activation and multiple calls from residents.

Investigators focused on 38-year-old Jamar Leonard, with whom Vil shared a child. Witnesses said the couple had argued repeatedly in the days before the shooting, and three days earlier Leonard allegedly kicked down Vil’s door after being locked out. A friend on a FaceTime call around 9 a.m. reported the call abruptly cutting out, then heard a muffled noise and saw blood coming from Vil’s ear. Another witness heard an argument followed by a gunshot.

Leonard was later found at a hospital and told authorities he had been present when Vil was shot but blamed another person for the killing. Prosecutors charged him with murder and multiple weapons offenses, noting he was barred from possessing a firearm by his prior criminal history and filed a motion to detain him pending trial.

If anyone knew Vil, the nature of her relationship with Leonard, or saw activity near Prospect Street and West Hanover Avenue that morning, please share information with investigators.