Trenton investigate deadly fire as homicide

TRENTON, N.J. - May 13, 2008 A taskforce, comprising of state, country, and local police and the FBI have begun blanketing Walnut Avenue, trying to develop information about Sunday's fire that claimed the life of 10-year-old Qua-Daishai Hopkins.

Authorities are looking at the possibility that the blaze was set by gang members in retaliation.

"That is obviously a connection that we're looking at and looking at strongly," Joseph Santiago of the Trenton Police Department said.

Francis Hopkins, Qua-Daishai's mother, who escaped the fire, testified last year against convicted drug dealer Isaac Barlow, who's now serving life in prison.

Before his arrest, Barlow lived next to the Hopkins, in a house, believed to be a gang headquarters.

Police are offering up to a $25,000 reward and are circulating flyers with Qua-Daishai's picture and a confidential hotline number for information.

Police will engage in what they are calling an aggressive enforcement action, cracking down on the neighborhood to try and shake loose information.

The 24-hour hotline number for Trenton police is (609) 989-3663.