The 21-year-old woman, Brandy Riggins, and her 3-year-old daughter, Aziyha Shrieves, were hit in the area of the 100 block of Passaic Street around 8:45 p.m.
The two were walking from a mini-market at Calhoun and Passaic streets when residents report hearing as many as 15 or more gunshots fired from a dark colored vehicle. Shell casings littered the scene.
"She was buying some food and, when she went outside, that just happened," said Rob Peralta, the son of the market's owner.
Aziyah, known as "Zi," suffered a gunshot wound to the right arm and some injuries to her face which may have happened when she was dropped. Her mother was hit in the buttocks.
The victims' injuries were non-life threatening.
Police do not believe the victims were the intended targets, but have little other information on the circumstances of this shooting.
Police are blanketing the area hoping to generate leads. A surveillance camera at the intersection didn't capture the actual shooting, only the aftermath.
And, though the area was crowded at the time, police say witnesses are not helping investigators.
"We encourage people who were out there to come forward and give us the information, even if they do it anonymously," said Capt. Fred Reister of the Trenton Police.
In response to the shooting Mayor Tony Mack has instructed police officers to question groups hanging on street corners and - if they don't have a legitimate reason to be there - disperse them or cite them for loitering.
He's also considering imposing a curfew and asking for assistance from state police.
"Because we know it's escalating and we know there's potential retaliation as a result of what took place last night," Mack said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Trenton Police Confidential Tip Line at (609) 989-3663. In addition, you may call Crime Stoppers of Greater Trenton with any information for a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the identification of the suspect(s) of this crime. Callers can contact "Crime Stoppers" at (609) 278-8477 (TIPS).
